"I shall never feel better," said Emily, half to herself.
"You will feel better to-morrow," pursued Delia, without appearing to heed the interruption. "You have never been used to school, and you feel everything more upon that account. Take off your dress and lie down, and I will ask Mrs. Pomeroy to let me bring your tea. You will feel refreshed after a good long rest. The girls are all out of doors or in the school-room, so you will have a quiet time."
She busied herself in unfastening Emily's dress and settling her comfortably as she spoke, and Emily submitted passively, thankful for any kindness, too weary to resist, and above all glad to be left alone, that she might throw off the mask of constraint which she had been obliged to wear all day, and which seemed crushing her very life out. Poor Emily.
[CHAPTER IV.]
THE money which had been collected to repair Kitty's loss, being put into Mr. Fletcher's hands, was by him transmuted into ten bright little gold dollars, after which they were put into Mrs. Pomeroy's hands to be presented to Kitty, who received them with a delight that was almost painful.
"I don't see how the girls came to think of such a thing," she said to Mrs. Pomeroy. "I don't understand why they should care so much for me. They are always doing kind things for me, though I never can make any return. I don't see why it is."
"Because you are a good, patient little girl," replied Mrs. Pomeroy, "and you have so few amusements, that your schoolmates like to do all in their power to make you happy. They know it is not very pleasant for you to sit by the fire or lie on the sofa when they are out at play."
"It is very tiresome," admitted poor Kitty with a sigh. "Sometimes I think I shall never be strong and well as they are, and then I feel as though I didn't want to live at all. Do you think that is wrong?" she asked, rather anxiously, seeing that Mrs. Pomeroy looked grave.
"It is a very natural feeling," said Mrs. Pomeroy, "but I would not indulge it if I were in your place, because it might tear you to be impatient. You know that God appoints the sort of life, he thinks best for you, and you must try to be willing that everything should be as he pleases."
"I know it," replied Kitty. "It is only when I am very tired indeed that I feel so, because after all, I do enjoy myself very much sometimes. Do you think I shall be able to go out and buy my presents to-morrow, aunty?" she continued, turning her money over in her hand. "It seems as though I should enjoy giving them a great deal more if I bought them myself."