Hatty took a pleasure in making Meg look particularly nice that Sunday morning, and she was well pleased when her mother smilingly remarked at breakfast that Meg showed very plainly that she had fallen into good hands. “Hatty needs a little attention, herself,” added Mrs. Lee, and she glanced at the irregular white line which separated the two heavy masses of waving red hair on each side of Hatty’s head. Hatty would rather have gone without her breakfast than had her hair parted. Hatty was apt to fret about being hurt all the while the operation was going on, and Mrs. Lee actually dreaded to propose what, if borne cheerfully, would have been but the work of a moment. Happily for Hatty at that instant her thoughts were called in a different direction by Marcus’ sudden question— “Where is Aunt Barbara this morning?” Even the question showed some interest in the old lady; and Mrs. Lee hailed it as an indication of a better state of feeling in her son. “Aunt Barbara is not very well this morning; she did not get up as early as usual,” said Mrs. Lee. “Shan’t I go up to see if I can do anything for her?” said Hatty, eagerly. “She will be down soon, I think; but you may go,” said the mother, pleasantly. Hatty ran up stairs, and knocked very gently on Aunt Barbara’s door. “Who is it? What do you want?” answered Aunt Barbara’s voice from within. “It is Hatty. Can I do anything for you?” said the little girl. “No!” was at first the decided answer; then followed a sudden call “Stop, stop, child. Come in a moment.” Hatty stepped in, but felt like drawing back as Aunt Barbara stood there, half dressed, with her grey hair uncovered, and her thin, shrivelled arms bare. “Don’t stare as if you were frightened,” said Aunt Barbara, quickly. “Old people are not generally very beautiful to look at!” “Can I do anything for you?” said Hatty, pleasantly. “Yes, if you want to. I can’t find my pocket. Perhaps you can see it.” Aunt Barbara wore a pocket tied on under her dress with a string, and she had been for some moments looking for it, as she was ready to put it on. Hatty glanced round the room, and was delighted when she saw a piece of white Marseilles peeping out from under the tumbled bed-clothes. She sprang towards it, and handed the pocket to the old lady, who took it without a word, and went on dressing herself. Hatty began to pick up the things about the room, and to throw open the bed; for she knew Aunt Barbara would not think of going down to breakfast until the room was a little in order. Aunt Barbara did not seem to notice her; but when she had tied the strings to her close-quilted muslin cap, and pinned a broad black ribbon round it, she said: “Come, now, child, its not worth while your breakfast should get cold while you are waiting on me.” Hatty’s face brightened, and she said, eagerly: “I should be glad to do anything for you, Aunt Barbara.”