Thank you, my dear.

You are a tidy little girl.
Will you come and give me a kiss." Letitia obeyed, though with some hesitation, and then came and stood by her step-mother, watching her intently.

At last she said, "You are crumpling your pretty white silk dress.

Won't that vex you very much ?" "Not very much--if it can not be helped." "That is odd.

I thought you liked fine clothes, and married papa that he might give you them: Phillis said so." "Phillis was mistaken." More than that Christian did not answer; indeed, she hardly took in what the child said, being fully engrossed with her charge.
Letitia spoke again.
"Are you really sorry for Atty?
Aunt Henrietta said you did not care for any of us." "Not care for any of you!" And almost as if it were a real mother's heart, Christian felt hers yearn over the poor pale face, growing every minute more ghastly.
"I wonder where papa can be! Letitia, go and look for him.