mother's hand. "I'm afraid Miss Minturn will think I am not very
good; but, truly, things do seem awfully mixed up sometimes when I
get to thinking this way. I like you very, very much, though," she
added, nodding brightly at her new acquaintance. "I wish you would
come to see me in mamma's apartments when you are not too busy."

"I shall be very glad to--if I may," Katherine replied, with an
inquiring glance at Mrs. Seabrook.

"Yes, do come, Miss Minturn, whenever you can find time; we are
very glad to have the young ladies visit Dorothy, who has many
lonely hours. Now come, Alice," and, with a parting smile and bow,
she signaled the nurse to move on.

"Good-by, Miss Minturn, and thank you for my lovely rose," cried
the child, looking back over her shoulder and waving her small
hand in farewell.

"Poor child," sighed Miss Reynolds, as she and Katherine passed
out of the grounds to the highway, "she has a continual struggle
to live, yet she is a remarkable girl, in spite of her many
infirmities, with a mind bright and keen far beyond her years."

"How old is she?"

"Thirteen, a month or two ago."

"Is it possible? She does not look to be over seven or eight,
although, mentally, she seems more mature."