"O yes. Bring her home with you to-morrow evening, by all means. It will take that much off of poor Ellen's hands."
"Then I will do so, Ma; at least if Ellen is willing," Mary said, in a lighter tone—the idea of even that relief being extended to her overburdened sister causing her mind to rise in a momentary buoyancy.
"Anna is late to-night," she remarked, after a pause of a few moments.
As she said this, the door opened, and the sister of whom she spoke entered.
"You are late to-night, Anna," her mother said.
"Yes, rather later than usual. I had to take a few small articles home for a lady, after I left the store, who lives in Sixth near Spring Garden."
"In Sixth near Spring Garden!"
"Yes. The lad who takes home goods had gone, and the lady was particular about having them sent home this evening."
"Do you not feel very tired?"
"Indeed I do," the poor girl said, sinking into a chair. "I feel, sometimes, as if I must give up. No one in our store is allowed to sit down from morning till night. The other girls don't appear to mind it much; but before evening, it seems as if I must drop to the floor. But I won't complain," she added, endeavouring to rally herself, and put on a cheerful countenance. "How have you been to-day, Ma?"