"I do not know about all; but I have thought of some of them. I think perhaps I could find a house somewhere with a garden, and there we would settle ourselves, my aunt and I, and gather round us two or three little ones at first. Then I should see how I got on before I sought any more."
"But supposing you got tired of it, dear Christina, or sickness came, or you changed your plans? I do not want to object; only to suggest the things that probably might arise."
"Oh, yes! Please do; it must not be hastily entered into. I have thought about it a great deal for the last few days, though I did forget the clothes."
"Clothes?" questioned Mrs. Arundel.
"I forgot they would wear out those they came in," said Christina with a little laugh; "but Nellie soon brought me up."
"I told her that we could help her in that, Ada," said Nellie, looking towards the window.
"If I have time," said Ada rather reluctantly.
Christina raised her eyes a little surprised; and Ada got up and hastily left the room. She flew to her bedroom, locked the door, and then threw herself across the bottom of her bed.
"How horrid I am with my wretched temper," she moaned. "Here they are talking over what I should delight to help in, and I must needs sit like a stone, and never give a word; and Christina will think I do not care about it at all."
Hot tears forced themselves down her cheeks, and fell heavily on the counterpane.