Mrs. Vane stopped for a moment and looked after them. She and Alie had been talking about Bridget as they walked. 'There she is again,' said her mother, 'as merry and thoughtless as can be. That is the worst of her, Alie, you can make no impression on her.' 'I don't think it's quite that, mamma,' Rosalys replied, 'though I know it often seems so. She was really very, very sorry about her frock. And she's so young--she's not eight yet, mamma.' 'You were quite different at eight,' answered Mrs. Vane. 'Just think--that time I was so ill and papa was away. You were barely seven, and what a thoughtful, careful little body you were! I shall never forget waking up early one morning and seeing a little white figure stealthily putting coal on the fire, which was nearly out; taking up the lumps with its own little cold hands not to make a noise. My good little Alie!' and she stroked the hand that lay on her arm fondly. Rosalys smiled up at her. She loved her mother to speak so to her, but still her heart was sore for Biddy. 'I believe--I _know_ Biddy would be just as loving to you, mamma, if she knew how,' she said. 'But it is true that she's very provoking. Perhaps it would be different if she had brothers and sisters younger than herself--then she'd _have_ to feel herself big and--as if it mattered what she did.' 'Responsible, you mean,' said Mrs. Vane. 'Yes, that is the best training. But we can't provide small brothers and sisters ready-made for Biddy, and I am very well contented with the three I have got! It might be a good thing if she had some companions nearer her own age, but even that has its difficulties. Just think of the scrapes she got into that time I sent her to your aunt's for a fortnight! Why, she was sent home in disgrace for--what was it for--I forget? Biddy's scrapes are so many.' 'For taking the two smallest children to bathe in the pond before breakfast, wasn't it?' said Alie. 'Oh yes--after having half killed their valuable Persian cat by feeding it with cheese-cakes, or something of the kind,' added Mrs. Vane. But she could not help smiling a little. Alie had already seen that she was softening; whenever mamma called Bridget 'Biddy,' she knew it was a good sign. 'There is one comfort,' said the elder sister, in her motherly way, 'Biddy has a _terribly_ kind heart. She is never naughty out of--out of _naughtiness_. But oh, mamma, let us wait a minute; the sunset is beginning.'