teacher's departure. On their way home they overtook Mrs. Steele and
Alick, to whom were soon related the particulars of their mission,
Stella imitating Mrs. Connor's tone and manner to the life, as she
graphically reproduced the conversation, much to Alick's amusement,
though he ground his teeth with indignation on hearing of the violent
treatment Nelly had received.

"What a woman! You mustn't leave the poor child to her tender mercies.
What can she turn out, brought up under such a termagant? Suppose I
try and bring the old lady round with a little judicious flattery?"

"I think I can manage the matter," said Mrs. Steele. "I shall make a
bargain with Mrs. Connor, and promise to give her a day's work once a
fortnight, provided she will let Nelly come here for half an hour
every day. But do you think the child herself will be willing to
come?"

"Oh, I'm sure she'll be willing to come where any one is kind to her,
she has so little kindness at home," replied Lucy.

Mrs. Steele proved right. By her more judicious management and
substantial inducement, Mrs. Connor was persuaded to give an
ungracious assent to the plan proposed for Nelly's benefit. But, as if
to be as disagreeable as possible, even in consenting, she fixed upon
the time which Lucy would least have chosen for the task. The only
time when she could spare Nelly, she said, was in the evening, after
the children were in bed. It was the time when Lucy most enjoyed being
out, watering her flowers, or taking an evening walk, or row with the
others. But the choice lay between doing the work then, or not at
all; and when she thought how light was the task given her to do, and