Mrs. Lee turned her eyes on her husband, who sat near her couch, greatly amused by the dialogue. "What do you think? She seems bright, and I dare say will try her best." "At any rate, she promises to be amusing," answered Mr. Lee, and a good-natured smile quivered about his lips. "And kind-hearted, I will answer for that, don't you think so, Martha?" "I am sure of it." As the words left my lips, Lottie made a dive at me, took my hand in both hers, and kissed it with a wild outgush of feeling. "You're good as gold, silver, and diamonds," she said. "I was sure that you would be on my side, though you do look as if butter wouldn't melt in your mouth. Tell me just what to do about the lady, and see if I don't come up to the mark. It's in me, I know that." Mrs. Lee closed her eyes wearily; even this short conversation was too much for her weak nerves. "Go down-stairs now," I said to the girl in a low voice; "by-and-by you shall be told about your duties. The first and greatest is quietness." She nodded her head, put a finger to her lips, and went out of the room on tiptoe. Mrs. Lee opened her eyes as the girl went out, and beckoned to Jessie. "Do you like that strange little orphan?" she questioned. "Like her? indeed I do, mamma," said the kind-hearted girl. "She is so warm, so earnest, and uses such queer words. But Aunt Martha will cure her of that. I was just thinking how pleasant it would be to teach her." "That is a good idea, child; who knows what we may do for her?" Here Mrs. Lee turned upon her cushions a little wearily, and from that time, Lottie became her attendant. Now our domestic life began in earnest. Mrs. Lee's disease was not often painful, nor immediately dangerous. Contented with the love that surrounded her, she fell gently into the invalid habits, which had something pleasant in them when incited by a home like that. For my part, I knew no more attractive spot than her room. There Jessie took her lessons in the morning, and in the afternoon, Mr. Lee always sat with us, reading to her while we worked or studied. Never in this world, I do think, was a family more closely united, or that seemed so completely uplifted from care or trouble as ours.