"How do you feel, Edna? I believe that is your name."
"Thank you, my head is better, but I am very thirsty." The lady of the house gave her some iced water in a silver goblet, and ordered a servant to bring up the refreshments she had directed prepared. As she felt the girl's pulse, Edna noticed how white and soft her hands were, and how dazzlingly the jewels flashed on her fingers, and she longed for the touch of those aristocratic hands on her hot brow, where the hair clustered so heavily.
"How old are you, Edna?"
"Almost thirteen."
"Had you any luggage on the train?"
"I had a small box of clothes."
"I will send a servant for it." She rang the bell as she spoke.
"When do you think I shall be able to walk about?"
"Probably not for many weeks. If you need or wish anything you must not hesitate to ask for it. A servant will sit here, and you have only to tell her what you want."
"You are very kind, ma'am, and I thank you very much--" She paused, and her eyes filled with tears.
Mrs. Murray looked at her and said gravely: "What is the matter, child?"
"I am only sorry I was so ungrateful and wicked this morning."
"How so?"
"Oh! everything that I love dies; and when I lay there on the grass, unable to move, among strangers who knew and cared nothing about me, I was wicked, and would not try to pray, and thought God wanted to make me suffer all my life, and I wished that I had been killed instead of that dear little baby, who had a father and mother to kiss and love it. It was all wrong to feel so, but I was so wretched. And then God raised up friends even among strangers, and shows me I am not forsaken if I am desolate. I begin to think He took everybody away from me, that I might see how He could take care of me without them. I know 'He doeth all things well,' but I feel it now; and I am so sorry I could not trust Him without seeing it."
Edna wiped away her tears, and Mrs. Murray's voice faltered slightly as she said: "You are a good little girl, I have no doubt. Who taught you to be so religious?"
"Grandpa."
"How long since you lost him?"