Auntie laughed as she answered, "I don't think you quite understand the duties of a nurse, dear, but you can be of great use and comfort to Mama, I am sure."
"Yes, I mean to be," was the confident answer.
"You mean, dear, you will try to be."
But Lena did not wait to answer. She left the room, saying, "I must go and tell Hester that they are really coming to-morrow." And off she went, only to return with some new question that she wanted Auntie to answer.
Not until the bell rang for prayers did she quiet down, and when she rose from her knees there was a very grave, subdued look on her face.
As soon as they were alone, she flung her arms round her Aunt's neck, exclaiming, "Ah, I do wish you were coming too! It won't be perfectly happy without you, Auntie, darling."
"Dear one, you must not expect perfect happiness anywhere in this world," she answered, returning her embrace.
"But I shall miss you so."
"And I shall miss you sadly; but I cannot be so selfish, as to grudge Mama the happiness of having her eldest daughter with her."
"I do so long to see her, my very own Mama, but I want you too."