"I do so enjoy my life, especially in summer--the world is so beautiful, and one has the birds and flowers, and it is just lovely to wake to another new day." "I wish Anna could hear you," he returned; and as she looked a little puzzled at this, he explained that his mother had an adopted daughter--a dear, lovable girl, whom he regarded as a sister.

And when he said this.

Elizabeth's bright eyes glanced at him a little keenly.
"She is your adopted sister," she said dubiously; "is that not rather a difficult relationship, Mr.Herrick ?" "Not at all," he returned quickly, for somehow this, remark did not quite please him.

"Anna was so young when she came to us, I think sometimes that she quite forgets that she is not really my mother's daughter." "She must be a great comfort to Mrs.Herrick," observed Elizabeth, "especially as you are not always with her." There was nothing in this speech to offend Malcolm's amour propre, nevertheless a dull flush mounted to his brow.
"Of course I should not have left my mother alone," he said so stiffly that Elizabeth opened her eyes rather widely; but her keen woman's wits soon grasped the situation.
"My dear Mr.Herrick, you must not misunderstand me," she said quite gently.

"I am quite sure that you are backward in no filial duty.