‘Is she ill?’ said Oswald, all tremulous and excited, feeling disposed to rush forthwith to the House without rhyme or reason, and carry her off.
‘Oh, no, sir; not at all! But Sister Mary Jane, she’s the Superior——’
‘She thinks that she’d be the better for a change, and so, as she wants to send some more children to the Sanatorium, she’s made up her mind to send her, for she’d be a deal the better she says of a little sea air herself.’
‘Ah!’ said Oswald, ‘she who is going to the Sanatorium is Sister Mary Jane?’
‘Not at all, sir, oh no, the one that is going is Miss Burchell. Sister Mary Jane is the Superior, and she thinks it will do her good and take off her thoughts.’
‘Ah, I see,’ said Oswald, gravely. ‘When does Miss Burchell go? you might ask her from me to remember me to little Emmy; when does she go!’
‘To-morrow, sir. I am sure, sir, you’re very good to think so much about such a little thing as that; but she is a dear little thing. I have understood, sir, that it was you that paid for her going——’
‘That is a trifle, Sister——’
‘Oh, I am not called Sister,’ said the porteress, blushing with pleasure, ‘I am not a lady like the rest. I am only in the House to open the door and to do the chars; but if I was the Superior I could not be more interested for little Emmy. Bless you, sir, she is the piousest little thing! And thank you, sir, for your goodness to her; that child’s prayers will bring down a blessing on you.’