Right Hand And Left
An old friend had come to see the children's mother. They had not met for several years, and the visitor was of course interested in seeing all the little people.
So mamma rang the bell for all five to come down from the nursery. Lily and Belle, being the two eldest, came first. Lily was eleven, Belle's ninth birthday was just passed. They were followed by their two brothers, Basil and George, who were only seven and five, and Baby Barbara, a young lady of two. They were a pleasant-looking little party, and their kind-faced new friend asked many questions about them, as each was introduced to her by name.
The children did not care very much for her remarks as to whom each of them was like, for she spoke of relations most of them were too young to remember, or had scarcely ever heard of, as she was an elderly lady.
But the two older girls at least, listened with all their ears to one or two little things their own dear mother herself said about them.
"Lily," she said, as she drew forward the fair-haired little girl, "is already quite my right hand."
Lily's eyes sparkled with pleasure, but Belle grew rather red, and turned away. She was not the least like Lily, her hair was dark and cut short round her head, for she had had a bad illness not long ago.
The stranger lady had quick eyes.