Searle who needs one. She is
rich, and ought to pay well; but she would want somebody who could read
intelligibly--and I suspect it would require infinite patience to put up
with her whims."
"I haven't a bad temper," said Bertha simply; "and I used to read aloud
to mother while she was sewing--we both of us liked books. How I wish
she would try me!"
"Perhaps she will; at any rate, you shall be looked after in some way. I
am poor, myself, but I'm sure our circle will see that you find work. Do
you know what the 'King's Daughters' are?"
"I've heard of them, but you're the first I ever met. If they're all
like you, the Lord must be proud to own them."
The sincere, almost childish, tone in which these words were said
divested them of any irreverence. Sara merely smiled, as she told Bertha
some of their aims and practices; and when Mrs. Pierce returned, she was
astonished to see her patient sitting up in bed, with almost a flush on
her cheeks, and a glad light in her eyes.
"Lawful suz!" she cried in the doorway, "what have you done to her?"
"Fed her," laughed Sara; "and I have been helping her to take my
prescriptions, you see. Won't you join us?"
"Well, I'm beat! Thank you--guess I will. Was that all't ailded her--
jest hunger?"
"That's all," answered Bertha for herself, "and quite enough too!"
Then she repeated something of her story, thanking the good woman
heartily for her kindness.
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