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now and then; the pretty attire in which they had started from Stickleford in the early morning bemuddled and sodden, wearinese on their faces, and fear of him in their eyes; for the child began to look as if she thought she too had done some wrong, remaining in an appalled silence till the tears rolled down her chabby cheeks.

“What's the matter, my little maid?” said Ned, mechanically. “e e

“I do want to go home!” she let out, in tones that told of s bursting heart. “And my totties,be cold, an’ I sha’n’t have no bread-an’-butter no more !”

“I don’t know what to say to it all!” declared Ned, his own eye moist as he turned and walked a few steps with his head down; then regarded them again point-blank, From the child escaped troubled breaths and silently welling tears.

“Want some bread-and-butter, do 'ee?” he said, with factitious hardness,

"Ye-e-s !"

‘Well, I dare say I can get ’ee a bit, Naturally, you must want some. And you, too, for that matter, Car’line.”

“I do feel a little hungered. But I can keep it off,” she murmured,

‘Folk shouldn’t do that,” he said, gruffly. . . . “There, come along!” He caught up the child as he added, “ You must bide here to- night, anyhow, I spose! What can you do otherwise? I'll get ’ee some tea and victuals; and as for this job, I’m sure I don’t know what to say. This is the way out,”

They pursued their way, without speaking, to Ned’s lodgings, which were not far off. There he dried them and made them comfortable, and prepared tea; they thankfully sat down. The ready-made household of which he suddenly found himself the head imparted