“Write to her, John, won’t you?”

John mentally thought it doubtful.  Anna and ’Lina would never assimilate, and he would rather not have his pet sister’s opinion to combat until his own was fully made up.

“Anna—­oh, yes!” ’Lina exclaimed.  “Miss Johnson spoke of her as the sweetest lady she ever saw.  I wish she would come.  I’m so anxious to see her.  An invalid, I believe?”

Yes, dear Anna was a sad invalid, and cared but little to go from home, though if she could find a waiting maid, such as she had been in quest of for the last six months she might perhaps be persuaded.

“A waiting maid,” ’Lina repeated to herself, remembering the forgotten letter in her dress pocket, wondering if it could be Anna Richards, whose advertisement Adah had answered, and if it were, congratulating herself upon her thoughtlessness in forgetting it, as she would not for the world have Adah Hastings, with her exact knowledge of Spring Bank, in Mrs. Richards’ family.  It passed her mind that the very dress had been given to Adah, who might find the letter yet.  She only reflected that the letter never was sent, and felt glad accordingly.  Very adroitly she set herself at work to ascertain if Anna Richards and “A.E.R.” were one and the same individual.

If Anna wished for a waiting maid, she could certainly find one, she should suppose.  She might advertise.

“She has,” and the doctor began to laugh.  “The most ridiculous thing.  I hardly remember the wording, but it has been copied and recopied, for its wording, annoying Anna greatly, and bringing to our doors so many unfortunate women in search of places, that my poor little sister trembles now every time the bell rings, thinking it some fresh answer to her advertisement.”

“I’ve seen it,” and ’Lina very unconsciously laid her hand on his arm.  “It was copied and commented upon by Prentice, and my sewing woman actually thought of answering it, thinking the place would suit her.  I told her it was preposterous that ‘A.E.R.’ should want her with a child.”

“The very one to suit Anna,” and the doctor laughed again.  “That was one of the requirements, or something.  How was it, mother?  I think we must manage to get your sewing woman.  What is her name?”

’Lina had trodden nearer dangerous ground than she meant to do, and she veered off at once, replying to the doctor: 

“Oh, she would not suit at all.  She’s too—­I hardly know what, unless I say, lifeless, or insipid.  And then, I could not spare my seamstress.  She cuts nearly all my dresses.”

“She must be a treasure.  I have noticed how admirably they fitted,” and old Mrs. Richards glanced again at the blue silk, half wishing that Anna had just such a waiting maid, they could all find her so useful.  “If John succeeds, maybe Miss Worthington will bring her North,” was her mental conclusion, and then, as it was growing rather late, she very thoughtfully excused herself, saying, “It was time old people retired; young ones, of course, could act at their own discretion.  She would not hurry them,” and hoping to see more of Miss Worthington to-morrow, she bowed good-night, and left the doctor alone with ’Lina.