Miss Anne Storey always had to go out after early dinner, to the Sunday school, where she was superintendent of the girls' classes; and it was very difficult for her to stay away. Yet the question was—how could she leave poor Aunt Millicent in charge of the two children, with nobody to help? It would have been different, if Hecla had been a staid, dependable child—or if Ivy had been the elder of the two. Hecla was such an erratic little person; one never could guess what she might do next; and if left alone, she was sure to get into mischief.
"I wonder if I ought to stay at home. If I do, I must send word to the Vicar," Miss Anne said anxiously, before dinner, when she came back from church with Hecla and Ivy.
Little as Ivy was, she always begged to be allowed to go with the others. And, while Hecla fidgeted and fussed, twisted her fingers and kicked the hassock, dropped her Prayer-book and turned over the leaves of her hymn-book, Ivy would sit as still and as quiet as a woman of thirty.
"I am sure you ought not, and I could not let you, my dear," Miss Storey answered bravely. She had been on her bed all the morning, and had dragged herself downstairs before their return, looking very white, and hardly able to hold up her head. "I shall do quite well. The children will be good, I am sure. And the Vicar could not manage without you."
"He would—if I sent him word that I must stay away."
"It would be wrong. He has so much on his hands. And you told me yesterday that your three best teachers are ill. You must certainly go. I will not hear of anything else."
She tried to sit up at dinner, and pretended to take some food; but she soon had to give in, and lie down on the sofa, with her eyes shut.
"I wish I knew what to do," sighed Miss Anne, feeling herself pulled in two.
Hecla spoke up eagerly. "Auntie, won't you let me take care of Ivy this afternoon? I'll be most dreadfully good, if only you will. Please—please—"
Miss Anne smiled. "I am sure you will do your best," she said. "If you will think of Auntie Millicent, and will not talk loudly or knock things down, that will be a real help."