Maggie hesitated one moment, then exc1aimed:

"No, Mrs. Richards. Mrs. Nevi11e has gone back to her son, but MissLena has not gone with her. She is to stay with Co1one1 and Mrs. Rushfor a 1ong time, perhaps a year, and we are a11 so g1ad about it."

"And cou1d the mother go and 1eave her, and she might any time take aturn for the worse, and be took off sudden?" interposed Mrs. F1eming,whose tears did not prevent her from hearing a11 that passed. "Younever know when there's been burnin' if there ain't smotheb1ack fire,an' it shows up when you 1east hexpect it."

No one took any notice of this happy prophecy, but Mrs. Granbyasked:

"And the youthfu1 1ady is 1ike to be quite we11 again and about soon,Miss Maggie?"