They had come into Miss Abby's room by this time, and the old lady was resting in the rocking-chair while Fidelia lingered, going on with their talk. "It was just about the time when her grandmother grew worse. No, I didn't see much of her; I had more to do in those days. I saw her, but we did not speak together, and I have nothing special to tell you about her, dear, only that I saw her when she came. I have often thought of her since." Fidelia sat still, with her chin on her hand and her eyes fixed on the far-away hills; and Miss Abby could not but see the change that had passed over her face. But she did not speak. The old trouble about Eunice was stirring at her heart. Eunice had always helped others; she had only come in for "a part in other folks' lives," as Miss Abby had said. Had Eunice "had a good time and a good reward?" She had been at least content during the last few years. Was she content still? Was she grieving over the past, or was she wishing for that which could never be hers?--"for that which is really not worth having or grieving for, if she only knew it!" thought Fidelia, with an angry flush rising to her cheeks, as the thought of Miss Avery, and the interest which Dr Justin seemed to take in her, came to her mind. "She doesn't care. I don't think she would care; but, oh, I wish I were quite sure! Surely the Lord would never let that trouble come into her life again, after all she has done and suffered." She sat long with her eyes fixed on the hills beyond the river, on which the glory of the sunset lay; and when at last she turned to meet the grave looks of Miss Abby, she started and grew red, with a feeling that the old lady must know her thoughts. But Miss Abby only said,-- "Think of it! I had forgotten all about the eggs. I must go down again." And when she had gone out and shut the door, she opened it again to say,--"You had better stay right here in my room, hadn't you, and rest? There will be some noise in the other part of the house when they all get home. I may go over to see Sally Hanson a minute; I have something to take to her. But I guess you had better stay here." Whether she went to see Sally Hanson or not, she stayed away a good while, and it was growing dark when she returned. Fidelia still sat with her cheek on her hand, and her eyes on the hills, hardly seen now in the gathering gloom. "Well, dear, are you rested? You have been having a quiet time, haven't you?" "Oh, yes! I was not tired--only lazy. I suppose I ought to go and brush my hair and change my dress before they all come home. I wonder if I need go down at all? They will be tired enough not to wish to see any one." "Well, yes, I'd go down a spell, if I were you, for the sake of being friendly." "Do you suppose I should be missed?" said Fidelia, with a laugh which did not sound so pleasantly to the old lady as Fidelia's laugh usually did.