"'What lady am I to say?' asked the boy.
"'Our lady,' replied the maid; 'Surgeon Johnson's aunt.'
"The boy ran home, and told Mrs. Symonds not to be uneasy, for the little Misses were safe with Madam Johnson, who lodged at the Wood House; so Mrs. Symonds was made easy about her pretty daughters.
"'Well, my dears,' said Mrs. Howard, putting her hands out to the little people, 'I am glad to see you in my parlour.'
"'Thank you, ma'am,' said one of them; and the other repeated the same words.
"As they spoke they came near, and put each a hand into Mrs. Howard's.
"'Let me look at you, my children,' said the old lady in her pleasant smiling way; 'you are like two lilies growing out of one root; I cannot tell one from the other; what are your names?'
"'I am Mary, ma'am,' said the eldest.
"'And I am Amelia,' added the other.
"'Amelia,' said Mrs. Howard, 'why, that is my name: but which is the oldest?'