You have come to stay a spell, haven't you ?" asked Phebe, looking up at her guest and wondering how life could be dull to a girl who wore a silk frock, a daintily frilled apron, a pretty locket, and had her hair tied up with a velvet snood.
"Yes, I shall stay till my uncle comes.

He is my guardian now, and I don't know what he will do with me.

Have you a guardian ?" "My sakes, no! I was left on the poor-house steps a little mite of a baby, and Miss Rogers took a liking to me, so I've been there ever since.

But she is dead now, and I take care of myself." "How interesting! It is like Arabella Montgomery in the 'Gypsy's Child.' Did you ever read that sweet story ?" asked Rose, who was fond of tales of found-lings, and had read many.
"I don't have any books to read, and all the spare time I get I run off into the woods; that rests me better than stories," answered Phebe, as she finished one job and began on another.
Rose watched her as she got out a great pan of beans to look over, and wondered how it would seem to have life all work and no play.

Presently Phebe seemed to think it was her turn to ask questions, and said, wistfully, "You've had lots of schooling, I suppose ?" "Oh, dear me, yes! I've been at boarding school nearly a year, and I'm almost dead with lessons.