"Yes, aunt, I think so," said Anna, simply.
"Well, here is the proof. I have in this basket some shirts to be made up for a missionary at the west. Let me see you put away that senseless worsted, and stitch one of these bosoms."
"I cannot do it this evening, aunt, because papa does not like to have me do fine work in the evening," said Anna, speaking pleasantly, though she felt annoyed. "But I will stitch it to-morrow, with pleasure."
"We shall see when to-morrow comes!" said Aunt Dorinda, rather ungraciously. "I hope no new excuse will turn up in the meantime. There now, child, you need not color so and look so vexed. I mean all for your good, and you know I always say just what I think to everybody."
"But you don't like it one bit, when people say what they think to you!" thought Anna, but she did not say so.
She began asking about the missionary to whom the shirts were to be sent, and about other missionaries; and the rest of the evening passed over very comfortably.
"We have prayers at nine o'clock, Aunt Dorinda," said Anna, when the clock struck the hour.
"Indeed!" said Aunt Dorinda. "Who conducts them, now that your father is away?"
"I did last night and this morning," replied Anna. "I thought perhaps you would do so to-night."
"You had better do just as you would if I were not here," said Aunt Dorinda. "I will see how you manage, and tell you if there is room for improvement."