"I ought to have done it sooner, but I was busy with the little ones.

Is that Gracie's frock you're mending?
What an awful tear!" She came and stood by Mrs.Denys's side, speaking in a low, rather monotonous voice.

A heavy strand of her hair fell over the work as she bent to look; she tossed it back with another sigh.

"Gracie is such a tomboy," she said.

"It's a pity, isn't it ?" "My dear, you're tired," said Mrs.Denys gently.