njoying the long afternoon afforded by an early dinner, Rachel, the housemaid, came in and said,-'I

ound, had heard the sad news at an ale-house in the village. Mr. Hackit follo

, too much overcome to

an' help me on

pony-chaise, she said,-'If I don't come home to-night, I shall

s,

e recognized as Dr Madeley's, the physician from Rotherby. She entered at the kitchen door that she might avoid knocking, and quietly question Nanny. No one was in the kit

anny's first word. 'He's never tasted nothi

our missis

Madeley i' the middle o' the day

e baby

ome and took 'em away last night, but the master says they must b

o find the sitting-room as he left it, with nothing to meet his eyes but Milly's work-basket in the corner of the sofa, and the children's toys overturned in the bow-window. But

ventured to say at last; 'bear up,

p. 'They must be sent for. Some one m

Hackit understood him, and said, 'I'll sen

and encountered Dr Madeley and

re, Mrs. Hackit. No time must be lost in sending

ite give h

he begged us to tell her how long she had

t fell full upon the bed, where Milly lay with the hand of death visibly upon her. The feather-bed had been removed, and she lay low on a mattress, with her head slightly raised by pillows. Her long fair neck seemed to be strugglin

ood beside the bed, and

s. Hackit is co

with that strange, far-off lo

en coming?' she

will be her

ed her e

follow him, left the room. On their way downstairs she suggested that the c

r mother's eyes-all, except Patty, looking up with a vague fear at their father as he entered. Patty underst

going to take away your dear mamma from us. She wants to see

ut turned round to see

e way up-stairs, leadin

ed with Sophy and Patty,

r and

ey all stood by the bedside-Amos nearest to her, holding Chubby and Dickey. But she motioned for Patty to come first, and clasping the poor pale child

ctly quiet, and s

ame her, and she burst into sobs. Amos drew her towards him and pressed her head gently to him, while Milly beckoned Fred and Soph

ar-stained cheeks. They cried because mamma was ill and papa looked so unhappy

nd Chubby seemed gravely wondering; but Dickey, who had been looking fixedly at her, with lip hanging down, ever since he came into

o to Mrs. Bond's again; but when Nanny reminded her that she had better go to take care of the

s holding her hand while he watched her face. By-and-by she opened her eyes, and, drawing him close to

until evening deepened into night, and until midnight was past. About half-past twelve she seem

when she was gone. But Mr. Brand, whom Mrs. Hackit had sent for before twelve o'clock, thinking that Mr. Barton migh

off Mr. Brand, who had taken him by the arm. But his weary weakened