This was always in the evening's entertainment, and to-night it was happily accomplished, inasmuch as it dispelled the cloud which had hung for a moment over them. "It must be nice to have things to do--useful things I mean," said Frederica. "I doubt it is a liberty in me to let you wash my cups, or even to ask you to your tea," said Eppie. "For you are no longer the wee missy that came creeping up the stairs the first day you came to the school. You are growing a young lady now." "That is just what I was telling mama," said Frederica eagerly. "I ought to have done with school now, and stay at home, ought I not? I don't suppose I should wash cups; but there are a great many things I could do for mama and Lina. Do you really think I am growing a young lady, Eppie? I am such a little thing, you know," said Frederica; "but I am nearly fifteen." An odd smile flickered for a moment on Eppie's small wrinkled face. "You needna be in any great hurry about being a young leddy. I doubt you're but a bairn to the most o' folk yet," said she. "Not for myself--I am in no hurry to be grown up for myself; but for mama's sake." "But there must be a heap o' things for you to learn yet," said Eppie gravely. "There's time enough." "But I don't see the good of learning so many things, and I have gone through all the books the girls learn here. And mama does need me, I am sure of that." Then Eppie went on to say how important the season of youth is, and how she had no doubt but Mrs Vane would rather deny herself the happiness of her little daughters' company for the sake of having them become wise and accomplished women, and so on. But Frederica did not seem to be noticing what she was saying; for she asked suddenly,-- "Eppie, do you know where Miss Baines is now? Will she ever come back again, do you think?" Eppie shook her head. "Have you not heard? She is dead, my dear." "Dead!" repeated Frederica. "Yes. She has gone to a better world, I have little doubt." "To heaven!" "Ay, I am sure of it, as far as a body can be sure of such a thing. She was a good woman. She had some curious notions about things, but she was a good woman." "She was very religious," said Frederica. "Yes, she was religious. She was a good woman." "But then there are so many kinds of religion," said Frederica. "But there is but one right kind I doubt," said Mistress Campbell gravely. "And Miss Baines' was the right kind? It made her patient and gentle with us girls, even when we were naughty. And after her fall, when she suffered so much, it made her patient to bear her pain. And once she told me that she was not afraid to die. I wish I had asked her more about it. I don't know, but I am almost sure mama would be afraid to die." Eppie gave her a startled glance; but Frederica did not look as though she had said anything to excite surprise. "But your mama is a good woman. I have always heard you say that."