"'Truly, truly, Aunt Priscilla, are you beginning not to be tired of me and thinking me a bother, with my things thrown all about?'"
"Truly, truly, I am beginning to like to have you here, and to be able to say, Milly is improving every week."
She covered her face with her hands, and laughed till she shook all over, when suddenly she spoke again.
"'But I never can be like Emily; never in this world.'"
"Why not, Milly?"
"'Because she is a real Christian. When I struck her once, she did not get angry. She said:'"
"'Oh, Cousin Milly!' And then she went in her own room, and locked the door. I listened at the keyhole, for I heard her talking; and I thought she was telling you of my badness. But, oh dear!—beginning to sob again, 'she was telling God that I was a poor, motherless girl, and that the Hindoo ayah's hadn't taught me any better; and then she asked God to forgive me. Isn't that being real, truly good?'"
"It is indeed, my dear child; and then I kissed her. But here they come."
Mrs. Morgan smiled as she glanced through the window. The cousins walked side by side, engaged in animated conversation, Emily at the time being the chief speaker. Milly's hat was, as usual, hanging by the elastic on the back of her neck; and her hair was in wild confusion.
"You will see," said mamma softly, "that Emily will coax her cousin to the chamber, and make her presentable, before she comes to the parlor."