"Here they are, Aunt Sarah, nice and hot."
"What?" the invalid returned, in a surprised way.
"The toast and tea," replied Flora.
"Oh yes, put them on the table."
Flora did so, daintily arranging them so as to be inviting to the eye as well as the palate, and inwardly wondering what new caprice her aunt would develop next. However, she had decided to yield to all her peculiarities, and to bear with her whims, and so with unruffled face, she turned to arrange the room, as only a woman's hand can. The grace and care were not lost upon her aunt, whose eyes closely followed every motion as she moved silently about the room.
"Sit down," said Mrs. Martin, after a few moments' silence.
Flora did so; and after a slight hesitation, Mrs. Martin began, having concluded to open the subject at once, for nothing was to be gained by delay.
"Niece Flora," she said, looking in the young girl's face, "I sent for you to tell you I feel that I have done what I had no business to do."
"What have you done, Aunt Sarah?" asked Flora, half suspecting what she wished to say to her.
"I mean in sending you away from here as I did," was the blunt reply.