"I have been wandering and dreaming," she said. "I thought Nattie was cracking nuts here, as she often does. Where is she?"
"She is not here now."
"Oh, gone to bed, I suppose. I should have liked to say good-night to her before she went. Poor, wayward child! I fear that she is strewing her own path with thorns. What time is it, Susan?"
"It is not very late in the evening, yet," was the rather evasive answer.
"Did Nattie get hurt to-day, when she dropped the kettle?"
"Not much; the steam made her face and hands smart a little."
"I wish you had brought Tiny with you. Sometimes I think that Nattie would be better if her younger sister was at home with her."
"You know that you sent Tiny away because Nattie teased and vexed her so much," said Susan.
"Yes; but Nattie is older now; she has felt
