"What does it involve?"
"The temporary guardianship of a child ten years old, whom I have never seen."
"He? She? It?"
"A girl, who will in all probability arrive before noon to-day."
"Peyton!"
The rose-coloured crochet web fell into her lap, and deep dissatisfaction spread its sombre leaden banners over her telltale face.
"I regret it more keenly than you possibly can; and, Elise, if I could have seen the mother before it was too late, I should have declined this painful responsibility."
"Too late? Is the woman dead?"
"No, but she has sailed for Europe, and notifies me that she leaves the little girl under my protection."
"What a heartless creature she must be to abandon her child."