Nellie's eyes filled with tears. How unworthy she felt of the blessing which God had laid at her feet; and yet she had prayed that she might be a help to Hope, and here was her prayer answered.
"I am going to sleep now," said Hope, "so do go down and talk to Mrs. Arundel."
When Nellie re-entered the drawing room, her grandmamma and aunt sat in their usual places in the bow window. She thought they looked a little grave, but hardly noticed it. She carried her basket in her hand, and seating herself on a low chair close to them, prepared herself for a happy morning.
"How sweet it is," she could not help saying; then the idea of being sweet here, suggested those at home, and she added, "Have you heard to-day, grandmamma, from mamma?"
"I have heard from your father, dear."
Nellie looked up at the unusually quiet tone, and said quickly, "Are they not all right, dear grandmamma?"
"He says your mamma is not very well, dear."
"Not anything serious?" said Nellie, her heart going down like lead.
"Your father speaks seriously, dear," answered Aunt Ruth. "He says that he has been anxious about her for some time."
"Oh, auntie! And I never knew it."