“How very industrious!” said Zoe.  “I have brought my sister, Mrs. Leland, to see what competent needlewomen you are.”

“They are that indeed,” Elsie said, examining the work.  “I shall be glad to engage you both to sew for me when you are no longer needed here,” she added with a kindly glance and smile.

Then taking a chair which Zoe had drawn forward for her, she entered into conversation with the strangers, asking of their past history and their plans, hopes, and wishes for the future, and completely winning their confidence by her sweetly sympathizing tones and manner.

They were delighted with her, and she much pleased with them.  Christine had a good, strong face, plain, rugged features, but a countenance that indicated so much good sense, probity, and kindliness of heart that it was attractive in spite of its lack of comeliness.

Alma seemed to lean very much upon this older sister.  Hers was a more delicate organization; she was timid and shrinking, and with her fair complexion, deep blue eyes, golden hair, and look of refinement, was really quite pretty and ladylike in appearance.

CHAPTER X.

“Who knows the joys of friendship—­The trust, security, and mutual tenderness, The double joys, where each is glad for both?”

Rowe.

Max Raymond was racing about Miss Stanhope’s grounds with the dog that had given his sister Lulu so great a fright the first night of their stay in Lansdale.  Up one walk and down another they went, the boy whistling, laughing, capering about, the dog bounding after, catching up with his playfellow and leaping upon him, now on this side and now on that; then presently finding himself shaken off and distanced in the race; but only for a moment; the next he was at the boy’s side again or close at his heels.

“Max!  Max!” called an eager child’s voice, and Lulu came running down the path leading directly from the house.

“Well, what is it, Lu?” asked the lad, standing still to look and listen.  “Down, Nero, down! be quiet, sir!”

“Oh, I have something to tell you,” replied Lulu, half breathlessly, as she hurried toward him.  “That letter you brought Grandma Elsie from the post-office this morning was from Aunt Elsie; and they are at home by this time—­she wrote just as they were ready to start—­and Evelyn Leland is with them; she’s to make her home at Fairview.”

“Well, and what of it? what do I care about it? or you either?”

“Dear me, Max, you might care!  I hope she may prove a nice friend for me; not a bit like Rosie, who has always despised and disliked me.”

“I don’t think Rosie does anything of the kind, Lulu,” said Max, patting Nero’s head; “she may not be very fond of you, and certainly does not admire your behavior at times, but I don’t believe it amounts to dislike.”

“I do, then,” returned Lulu, a touch of anger in her tones.  “Anyhow, I’d dearly love to have a real friend near my own age; and Aunt Elsie says Evelyn is only a little older than I am.”