Her interview with Margaret had left the child hurt and bewildered and now she came to Alice.

Alice did not rise and kiss her.

Alice seldom kissed anybody but she radiated kindly welcome.
"Sit down, little Annie," she said, "I am glad you have come.

My aunt and cousin have gone to New York and I have been alone all day.

We would have tea and cake but _I_ know the hour of your Medes and Persians' supper approaches instead of my later dinner." "Yes," said Annie, sitting down, "and if I were to take tea and cake now, Alice, I could eat nothing and grandmother and my aunts are very particular about my clearing my plate." Alice laughed, but she looked rather solicitously at the girl.