Then
she sat down opposite her and regarded her with
as much of a smile as her sternly set mouth could
manage, and inquired politely regarding her health
and that of the family. When Annie broached the
subject of her call, the set calm of her face relaxed,
and she nodded.
"I know what your sisters are. You need not
explain to me," she said.
"But," returned Annie, "I do not think they
realize. It is only because I --"
"Of course," said Felicia Hempstead. "It is be-
cause they need a dose of bitter medicine, and you
hope they will be the better for it. I understand you,
my dear. You have spirit enough, but you don't
get it up often. That is where they make their mis-
take. Often the meek are meek from choice, and
they are the ones to beware of. I don't blame you
for trying it. And you can have Effie and welcome.
I warn you that she is a little wearing. Of course
she can't help her affliction, poor child, but it is
dreadful. I have had her taught. She can read
and write very well now, poor child, and she is not
lacking, and I have kept her well dressed. I take
her out to drive with me every day, and am not
ashamed to have her seen with me. If she had all
her faculties she would not be a bad-looking little
girl. Now, of course, she has something of a vacant
expression.
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