Annie Kilburn - Page 37/183

"Come, Idella!" he said. Idella only snuggled the closer.

Mrs. Bolton came in with the little girl's wraps; they were very common

and poor, and the thought of getting her something prettier went through

Annie's mind.

At sight of Mrs. Bolton the child turned from Annie to her older friend.

"I'm afraid you have a woman-child for your daughter, Mr. Peck," said

Annie, remotely hurt at the little one's fickleness.

Neither Mr. Peck nor Mrs. Bolton smiled, and with some vague intention

of showing him that she could meet the poor on common ground by sharing

their labours, she knelt down and helped Mrs. Bolton tie on and button on

Idella's things.