“Oh! that is what Rachel would like! She is so fond of the sick—I mean of your—Miss Williams. I suppose I may not tell her yet.”
“Not yet, if you please. I have scarcely had time as yet to know what Ermine wishes, but I could not help telling you.”
“Thank you—I am so glad,” she said, with sweet earnestness, holding out her hand in congratulation. “When may I go to her? I should like for her to come and stay here. Do you think she would?”
“Thank you, I will see. I know how kind you would be—indeed, have already been to her.”
“And I am so thankful that I may keep Miss Williams! The dear boys never were so good. And perhaps she may stay till baby is grown up. Oh! how long it will be first!”
“She could not have a kinder friend,” said the Colonel, smiling, and looking at his watch.
“Oh, is it time to dress? It is very kind of my dear aunt; but I do wish we could have stayed at home to-night. It is so dull for the boys when I dine out, and I had so much to ask you. One thing was about that poor little Bessie Keith. Don’t you think I might ask her down here, to be near her brother?”
“It would be a very kind thing in you, and very good for her, but you must be prepared for rather a gay young lady.”
“Oh, but she would not mind my not going out. She would have Alick, you know, and all the boys to amuse her; but, if you think it would be tiresome for her, and that she would not be happy, I should be very sorry to have her, poor child.”
“I was not afraid for her,” said Colonel Keith, smiling, “but of her being rather too much for you.”