she will sit with you all the time I'm out. I didn't want to leave you--oh,
I wanted so much to stay! but I could not be spared, father says.'

'Never mind, darling,' said her mother. 'I feel a little better to-night. I
should like a cup of tea.'

Mother Manikin had a cup of tea ready almost directly. She was the quickest
little body Rosalie had ever seen; yet she was so quiet that her quick
movements did not in the least disturb the sick woman.

'How kind you are!' said Rosalie's mother, as the dwarf climbed on a chair
to give her the tea.

'There's nothing like tea,' said the tiny old woman, nodding her wise
little head; 'give me a cup of tea, and I don't care what I go without!
You're better to-night, ma'am.'

'Yes,' said Rosalie's mother; 'I can talk a little now. I heard a great
deal you said before, though I could not speak to you. I heard you talking
about Rosalie's picture.'

'To think of that!' said the little old woman cheerily. 'To think of that,
Rosalie! Why, she heard us talking; bless me, child! she's not so bad after
all.'

'I think that did me good,' said the poor woman; 'I heard Rosalie pray.'

'Yes,' said Mother Manikin; 'she put me in her prayer, bless her! I haven't
forgotten that!'