“I can do most anything, ma’am,” answered the girl resolutely.
“Indeed! Well, let me see how you would manage to place Annie on the bed when she is tired of the sofa.”
The words were scarcely out of her mouth before Annorah had lifted the frail form of the invalid in her arms and deposited her in the middle of the bed. Annie burst into such a laugh as she had not indulged in for a year.
“I think you may be satisfied, mamma,” she said; “I never was moved easier.”
Mrs. Lee began to think better of Annie’s plan, and joined quite cordially in her daughter’s mirth.
“And if she were too tired to rest in any position, what would you do?”
“Carry her to the windows, or out in the air, for a change.—Will ye plaze to thry it, Miss Annie?”
“Not now, Annorah.” Then looking towards her mother, she said, “Mamma, you may be easy; Annorah and I shall get on famously together.”
Thus assured, Mrs. Lee left them, and went down-stairs with a better opinion of the rough Irish girl than she had thought it possible to entertain an hour previous.
Left by themselves, the two girls began to form an acquaintance with each other. Two persons more unlike could not have been brought together. Annorah was evidently much interested in her young charge, and felt the most unbounded sympathy in her sufferings. Annie spoke first.