Will you thank her for me, Malcolm, and tell her that mother needs me so much, and that she has no one else." "Did you mean that for a hit at me, Anna dear ?" and Malcolm's voice was rather reproachful.
"For you," looking at him tenderly, "oh no--no, Malcolm;" and then to his dismay she suddenly burst into tears.
"Don't mind me, I am silly to-night," she said, struggling to regain her composure.

"Mother is right, and I am not quite well, and--and things will go crooked in this world." But though Malcolm petted her, and called her a foolish child, and his dear little sister, Anna did not regain her former cheerfulness.

And when Mrs.Herrick joined them she said her head had begun aching again, and that she would go to bed.
Malcolm wished her good-night at the foot of the staircase, and watched her until she was out of sight.

His mother looked at him a little keenly when he rejoined her.
"What have you and Anna been talking about ?" she asked rather abruptly; "the child does not look quite happy." "We were only talking about the ladies of the Wood House," he returned quietly.

"Anna thinks she would like to make their acquaintance some day." But Mrs.Herrick made no reply to this; she was regarding her son thoughtfully, and her strong, sensible face wore an expression almost of sadness.