"Now finish clearing off the dishes," said Marion, in that clear, decided tone which servants love to obey. "I'll be down directly and put away all the dainties. Do you think you shall remember about the coffee?" "That I shall, miss; and I'll always be thanking yees as long as the breath of life is in me." "You must eat every mouthful of this nice toast and the egg with it. Don't you like dropped egg?" "It tastes just like home," was the contented reply. "Bridget has work enough for the whole morning," said Marion; "and I am going to be nursery girl as well as cook." She turned down the bed clothes and threw the bolster near the open window to air, while she picked up the various articles of dress about the chamber. At last she turned to Gertrude and said gayly, "It's for sisters to know each other's ages. I'm twenty next month." "And I was sixteen the day I left home. Paul wished to be married the August before; but my brother would not consent." "Of course not." Marion did not add what she thought. "He must be an idiot to consent at all." "I had such a dear home," Gertrude went on. "I told you last night it was called Rose Cottage. I wish you could see it; and such a good kind Hannah. She is not a common servant. She was mamma's friend; and mamma gave me to her, and to Edward in charge. I don't mind telling you that I acted very badly; and when they begged and plead with me not to leave home till I was two or three years older at least, and had been to school; for really, Marion, I know nothing, I wouldn't listen to them. I just repeated the words Paul told me to use. 'I have given my promise; and unless he wishes to be free, I shall keep my word.' Now I know that I am not fit to be a wife; and have the care of a family. Paul says, I'm a natural fool; and I'm afraid it's true, for I see so many girls of my age, who know a great deal, and can spell every word of a letter without looking in a dictionary." Marion was obliged to bite her lips to keep her indignation within bounds, at this artless revelation. She had heard the story of the exposed letter; and ever since had found her heart drawn out toward the unprotected child. Gertrude, greatly revived by the most appetizing meal she had partaken for months, prattled on, revealing every moment traits which drew out the listener's sympathies more closely. When the room was put in nice order, Marion looked at her watch. "Oh, how the time flies!" she exclaimed. "I should so love to sit down and talk with you; but I promised Bridget to help her. By the way, she is very fond of you, and though awkward, she is teachable; much better than the average." "I'm afraid Paul wont let her stay. She broke a glass dish this morning," was the timid answer. "We'll try to contrive somehow to keep her. Now if I shut the blinds, can you sleep?"