Page:Margaret Sherwood--A Puritan in Bohemia.djvu/158

150 "That's not bad," commented the artist; "only I don't half deserve it. A little sharp criticism would be better for me."

"My little sisters, Euphrasia and Amanda," continued Annabel, in a rather loud tone.

"Oh," answered Mr. Stanton. "I remember your little sisters. But I thought their names were Ellen and Malvina."

"I guess I'd better go and get my dust-cloth," remarked Annabel. When she came back her face had brightened.

"My little sisters have two names apiece," she said patronizingly. "I couldn't explain, because I was in a hurry. Please," she added in a whisper, "don't say anything to my mother about my little sisters."

"Why not?"

"Because it will make her feel so bad. My mother was very fond of them. It's awful hard for her."

But Mr. Stanton was busy with another article. He had found it in the News of two weeks ago.