What beautiful children they are! Little Em has completely won my heart; it really seems a pity for her to be put on the shelf, as she must be soon." "How--what do you mean ?" asked Mrs.Garie.
"Oh, this will explain," archly rejoined Esther, as she held up to view one of the tiny lace trimmed frocks that she was making in anticipation of the event that has been previously hinted.
Mrs.Garie laughed, and turned to look out of the window again.
"Do you know I found little Lizzy Stevens, your neighbour's daughter, shivering upon the steps in a neighbouring street, fairly blue with cold?
She was waiting there for Clarence and Em.

I endeavoured to persuade her to go on without them, but she would not.

From what I could understand, she waits for them there every day." "Her mother cannot be aware of it, then; for she has forbidden her children to associate with mine," rejoined Mrs.Garie.

"I wonder she permits her little girl to go to the same school.

I don't think she knows it, or it is very likely she would take her away." "Has she ever spoken to you since the night of her visit ?" asked Esther.
"Never! I have seen her a great many times since; she never speaks, nor do I.There she goes now.