"Well," said Katy, rather forlornly, "I'll try. But it won't be a bit
nice studying without anybody to study with me. Is there anything else,
Cousin Helen?"

Just then the door creaked, and Elsie timidly put her head into the
room.

"Oh, Elsie, run away!" cried Katy. "Cousin Helen and I are talking.
Don't come just now."

Katy didn't speak unkindly, but Elsie's face fell, and she looked
disappointed. She said nothing, however, but shut the door and
stole away.

Cousin Helen watched this little scene without speaking. For a few
minutes after Elsie was gone she seemed to be thinking.

"Katy," she said at last, "you were saying just now, that one of the
things you were sorry about was that while you were ill you could be of
no use to the children. Do you know, I don't think you have that reason
for being sorry."

"Why not?" said Katy, astonished.

"Because you can be of use. It seems to me that you have more of a
chance with the children now, than you ever could have had when you were
well, and flying about as you used. You might do almost anything you
liked with them."

"I can't think what you mean," said Katy, sadly. "Why, Cousin Helen,