"Tease Alice," said Hugh, nodding towards the crouching figure by the fire.
"I was going to say that I have to go to see a woman in Earl Street, and wanted you to carry my basket for me, Hugh. Can you spare time, do you think?"
"All right, auntie."
"Where's Hugh going?" said Minnie, sleepily, opening her eyes.
"He is going out with me, darling; would you like to go too?"
"I don't know; I think I 'm going to sleep again."
She turned her back on the room, and vouchsafed no further notice of her aunt, nor of anyone else. Agnes gave a glance of apology, but Miss Headley answered by a look that it was not needed, and in a few moments took her leave, followed by her nephew, who ran in next door for the basket, and caught her up before she had reached the corner of the street.
Agnes left the room, and Alice woke up from her book to find herself alone.
She was just going to stoop again over it, when her eyes caught the unaccustomed frame upon the wall, and she could not but see the words, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?"
"I've nothing to do but this now," she said, drawing her shoulders nearer to the blaze. "It's holiday time, and I have not lessons or duties of any kind; I may do as I like."