together, after the children were in bed, aunty repeated Emma's
confidences to her mother; how the visit to the sick girl had been a
complete failure, for Emma was sure that Nora did not care to have her
come again, any more than she herself cared to go; for she couldn't
think of anything to say, and Nora didn't want to talk either, and they
didn't like the same things at all.

Mrs. Stein was surprised and disappointed. Emma's stock of conversation
had never been known to give out before, and her mother had been
confident that her merry talk would be a real pleasure to the sick
child, and help to pass happily many a tedious hour of her long day;
and, on the other hand, she relied much on the benefit which her romping
little girl would receive from the refined and gentle Nora. She saw,
however, that there was nothing to be done about it, and that she could
only trust to time, which often works wonders when things seem hopeless.

"By and by, perhaps, they will come together. Children often do, just
when you least expect it," she said.

Her sister shook her head. "Emma and Nora were not made for each other,
any more than fire and water," she said; and then they quitted the
subject, and talked about Elsli's prospects, and rejoiced at the thought
that the days of servitude to her burdensome little brothers were over,
at least for the present.




CHAPTER VI.