LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
[“He is not horrid at all,” said Nan, very cross.]
[Nan was perfectly satisfied to sit near the fire holding the kittens.]
[“Cross!” he said to himself; “why, it is one of the dearest little faces in the world.”]
[“Here is some paper,” said Nancy, “and here is a pencil. Write the words down, Augusta, and let me keep the paper.”]
[Augusta nearly fell back as she read the words.]
[“What are you doing by that drawer, Gussie!”]
[“I have brought a bird for her—my own bird. May I go in and see her at once?” said Nancy.]
[Augusta in terror was hiding behind a bush of laurustinus.]
[“As to your shilling, miss, you can keep it, for I don’t want none of it.”]
[“Let me fasten it round your neck, Nan, then I shall feel better.”]
GIRLS OF THE TRUE BLUE.
CHAPTER I.—“I PROMISE.”
“And how is she to-day, Nan?” said the kindly voice of Mrs. Richmond.
The time was early spring. The lady in question had come into a dark and somewhat dismal room; she herself was richly wrapped in furs and velvet; her large, smooth face was all beams and smiles. A dark little girl with thin cheeks, about eleven years of age, clasping a battered doll in her arms, looked full up at her.
“She is no better,” said Nan; “and I think perhaps it would be a good plan for you to go.”
“What a little monkey you are!” said Mrs. Richmond. “But I do not mind you, my dear Anna; I have known you too long. Come here, dear, and let me look at you.”