says I have never been robust. I do so love to help mother. I always
feel as though I can never do enough to show my gratitude to her.
What would have become of me when my parents died if she had not
brought me here. We were so dreadfully poor, and had so few friends.
Oh Malcolm, think of it," and then she whispered in his ear, "they
would have taken me to the workhouse--there was nothing else."

"Nonsense--rubbish," began Malcolm wrathfully; but Anna put her hand
upon his lips.

"No, dear, not nonsense. I am telling you the sober truth--mother
would endorse it. Do you think I do not owe her a life's service and
love for all her dear care of me!"

"If I am tired, I glory in my fatigue, for it is for my adopted
mother and her poor that I am working;" and Anna's eyes were very
soft and bright. "Malcolm, you have no idea how much happier she is
now I share her work. I know she never complained of her loneliness-
-it is not her way to complain--but she has missed Florence so
terribly. We talk of her sometimes, mother and I," continued the
girl thoughtfully, "and she tells me what a sweet daughter she would
have been, and how we should have been sisters. It is so dear of her
never to exclude me, even when she is thinking and talking of
Florence. 'If my little girl had lived,' she said once, 'I should
have had two daughters.'"

Malcolm had to hold his tongue at last, but he grumbled freely to
Nurse Dawson. In her he had a staunch ally; the old woman was
devoted to Anna, and by no means sided with her mistress.