I had absolutely no cause for anxiety, as I often told people, wondering that I did not feel a little all the same.

Nothing, I knew, could exceed the conscientious devotion of all three Farnham ladies to the child.

She would appear upon their somewhat barren horizon as a new and interesting duty, and the small additional income she also represented would be almost nominal compensation for the care she would receive.

They were excellent persons of the kind that talk about matins and vespers, and attend both.

They helped little charities and gave little teas, and wrote little notes, and made deprecating allowance for the eccentricities of their titled or moneyed acquaintances.