"Horace, she has been reading me such a lecture--your poor old mother. She says that my children are so selfish." "A most self-evident fact," replied Horace. "Horace! You too?" "Come, mother, you must acknowledge it." "Marcia is going to take them in hand." "Good girl, capital!" said Horace, giving his sister a glance of approval. "Don't you think we needn't talk of it just now?" said Marcia. "We don't see so much of you, Horace. Have you nothing funny to tell mother?" "I have, I have all kinds of stories. But you look tired, old girl. Run away and rest in the garden for an hour. I'll stay with mother for just that time." Marcia gave him a glance of real gratitude. Oh, she was tired. The invalid was difficult; the afternoon hours seemed as though they would never end. When she went back again Horace had soothed his mother into a most beatific state of bliss. She told Marcia that she was the best girl in all the world; that she would confide the entire future of her three girls to dear Marcia, that Marcia should train them, should make them noble like herself. "And I'll tell them so: I'll tell that naughty little Nesta to-morrow afternoon. I'll tell her she must look after me: I'll be firm; I'll put down my foot," said Mrs Aldworth. Marcia made no response. Another long hour and a half had to be got through and then the invalid was safe in bed, with all her small requirements at hand. She opened her eyes sleepily. "God bless you, Marcia dear. You are a very good girl, and the joy of my life." CHAPTER SEVEN. SHIRKING DUTY. Now Nesta was perhaps the naughtiest of the three Aldworth girls. She had been more spoiled than the others, and was naturally of a somewhat braver and more determined nature. She was fully resolved that nothing would really induce her to give up her walk with Flossie Griffiths. Flossie was her dearest friend. Between Flossie and Nesta had sprung up that sort of adoring friendship that often exists between two young girls in that period of their lives. Flossie and Nesta declared that they thought alike, that when a thought darted through the brain of one, it immediately visited the other. Every idea was in common; all their plans were made to suit the convenience of each other. Nesta used to say that Flossie was like her true sister, for her own sisters were of course absorbed in each other. "There are Molly and Ethel, they are always hugger-muggering," she used to say. "What should I do but for my Flossie? I am quite happy because I have got my Flossie."