"Very. But oh, auntie, I wish you hadn't to suffer so!"
"Don't wish that, my dear, but rejoice that, in every trial that has ever come to me, I can say, 'His grace has been sufficient for me.'"
Agnes knelt on in silence; and aunt Phyllis did not attempt to disturb the quiet till some hasty footsteps were heard along the pavement, which came springing up the steps, and in another moment the two boys, fresh from their walk, came bursting into the room; but not before Agnes had sprung up and seated herself at the table with her work.
"Hulloa, Agnes! Why, auntie, is that you? So you've come to look after the forsaken nest, have you?"
"How did they get off, John?" Agnes asked, looking up as quietly as if she had been sitting there for an hour.
"Very well; mother was cheerful to the last."
"And they had a foot-warmer?"
"Your humble servant saw to that."
"And you got them something to read?"
"Wouldn't have anything."