"For Christmas," answered Christina. "Oh, if you could see her husband's letters! He has not seen her yet, but she writes to him."
She took up the tray again, and left the room.
She found by Nellie's peaceful breathing that she had fallen asleep, and she sat down by her side, glad herself to have a little quiet time to think.
In a few moments, however, Nellie stirred and gave a long sobbing sigh. "I can't, I can't!" she murmured.
Christina laid her hand on her arm, and said gently, "You are dreaming, dear."
Nellie sat up rather frightened, but was soon reassured by Christina's presence and love, and by the pleasant smell of the fragrant cup by her side. They sat in silence for a while, sipping their tea, until at last Christina said:
"You need not tell me a word; I guess it all, Nellie."
"How do you guess?" asked Nellie, frightened that she had betrayed her secret.
"I have known it would be so for ever so long. No one could see you together, at least no one loving you as I do, without knowing how it was."
Nellie laid her head on the kind shoulder and felt it a comfort to cry.