"What a cute little girl Jem is," said Flora to Ruth; "is she your sister?"
"Yes, that is, she is my half-sister; her mother was not my own mother, you know."
"Oh, she is your step-mother," said Flora.
"She was," corrected Ruth; "but she has been dead ever since Jem was a little baby. My own mother died when I was quite small," she added, with an elderly air.
"Who keeps house for you?" asked Flora, in surprise.
"I do," replied Ruth. "I keep house for father, and take care of Jem. She is all the company I have."
"What a smart girl you are. How old are you, Ruth?"
"I'm sixteen, but I feel ever so much older. You see, it is a great responsibility to have everything at home resting upon one," and Ruth looked very wise.
"I should think so," said Flora, thoughtfully. "I am sixteen too."
"Are you? That's nice. We ought to be good friends," returned Ruth, smiling.