"I do not like to say it," replied Emily; "it seems now as if I had no right to do it. All the pleasure I have known for the last two years has been found in your family; and what I feel now is thankfulness that it has been so much greater than I deserve."
"But we did not make you happy," said Dora. "You would have been miserable if it had not been——'
"For Rose," continued Emily, firmly. "I do not know, indeed, how I should have felt without her; but with her I had, at times, all that I dared desire; and now God has given me blessings for which I can never be sufficiently grateful."
"Yes," said Dora; "Amy is a blessing to every one."
"And you are blessings too," replied Emily, in a tone of deep interest and kindness. "You do not know the satisfaction you are affording me now; and you may be unspeakable blessings to your parents."
"We shall not know what to do when you are gone," said Margaret; "and my aunt and Amy also."
"Your mamma will recover herself by and by, I have no doubt; and then we shall be so near, it will be scarcely like a separation."
"There was one thing," said Dora, "which I thought I would ask you: but
I am afraid you will not tell me if you had rather not."
"I will tell you really, though," replied Emily. "I always try to say exactly what I mean."
"Then do you think, sometimes, if we go to the cottage, you would be able to hear us play, and look at our drawings? We shall be so very much at a loss without you."