"Yes, Nellie, I am getting on very well; you go about your business. When I am dressed, I shall go into the nursery. I'm afraid I've been very selfish." "They will be so glad to have you," said Nellie, thankful that her sister was so far recovering. They were very glad to have her, though greatly surprised to see her sitting there when they returned from their early walk. How tall and slim she looked in her new black dress. Ada had felt at first as if she could not put it on; but when she had taken down her usual frock, she put it hastily back again, glad that Nellie's thoughtfulness had placed the other where she could get it without asking. The little ones gathered round her, and many were the inquiries as to whether she was "better." They looked with somewhat of awe in their faces; for Ada had not been able to bear their presence in her room, and she felt quite a stranger to them. They showed her their work, and she was ready to admire and praise, while Dolly's performance was duly inspected. No one touched on the tender ground of their sorrow. The little girls felt instinctively that Ada would not be able to bear it, and they therefore did their best to comfort her in their own loving little way. Ada shrank from going down to the empty rooms, and told Mary she should have meals with them till she felt stronger. Mary gladly consented, and was herself cheered with the prospect of someone to talk to. "Where is Tom?" asked Ada. "He is downstairs now," said Isabel, slightly grumbling; "he is always there; we do miss him so." "Yes," said Netta; "but Nellie said she thought he would miss —;" she paused, and then remembering her father's words, she went on gently, "miss dear mamma less if he were downstairs with her, and Christina, and Arthur." "It is quite right," said Ada; "dear little Tom." "We don't have any school," Isabel observed rather dolefully. "Nellie has been so busy, and all; but the days do seem so long." Ada looked up. "Perhaps to-morrow I might give you lessons, till I go back to school myself." "We've nothing to do to-day," said Netta. "I suppose you're not well enough to tell us a tiny story, are you, Ada?" asked Dolly, looking coaxingly up in her face. "I will try," answered Ada, "because I've been thinking of one, and perhaps it will do you good, like it did me. Get your work, children." Mary took out her basket, and sat down to listen; the little girls ran to the cupboard to fetch theirs, and soon they settled down to quietness. "Come, Cecil," said Ada to the baby, patting her knee invitingly, "you must be my boy now."