"Yes, sir; and I love you very much, and I am so sorry for you; but grandmamma said I must not come in."
"But I want to see you," said the colonel.
"You can come in, darling," said Mrs. Rush; "he is better this afternoon, and would like to see you."
"But I better mind grandma first; bettern't I?" said Bessie. "I'll yun and ask her, and if she'll let me, I can come back."
Mrs. Rush smiled, and said, "Very well;" and the obedient little girl ran to ask her grandmamma's permission.
Grandmamma said, "Certainly, if the colonel wanted her."
"Didn't he invite me?" said Maggie, with rather a long face.
"No," said Bessie. "Would you yather I would not go? I'll stay with you, if you want me."
"I guess you had better go, if he wants you," said Maggie; "but don't stay very long, Bessie; it's very sorrowful without you."