They served her need, or her faith in them did; and she returned to her work.
She went down the stairs, keeping a still tremulous hand upon the rail; but she smiled brightly when Alice looked up from below, where the woodwork was again being tormented with superfluous attentions.
"Alice, DON'T!" her mother said, commiseratingly.

"You did all that this morning and it looks lovely.

What's the use of wearing yourself out on it?
You ought to be lying down, so's to look fresh for to-night." "Hadn't you better lie down yourself ?" the daughter returned.

"Are you ill, mama ?" "Certainly not.

What in the world makes you think so ?" "You look pretty pale," Alice said, and sighed heavily.