with me,"--and he took her hand to lead her forth.

But she resisted him, saying, that "fasting and solitude were nature's
great restoratives."

"She has showed her good sense for once," said Miss Grundy, on hearing
of Sally's whereabouts, "but' ain't the critter hungry?" and owing to
some newly touched chord of kindness, a slice of toast and a cup of
hot tea erelong found entrance into the darksome cell.

Strange to say, too, the hand which brought it was not repulsed,
though very demurely and in seeming earnestness was the question
asked, "Mrs. Grundy, haven't you met with a change?"

The next day was the funeral. At first there was some talk of burying
the child in the same inclosure with Patsy; but Mary plead so
earnestly to have her laid by her mother, that her request was
granted, and that night when the young spring moon came out, it looked
quietly down upon the grave of little Alice, who by her mother's side
was sweetly sleeping.



CHAPTER XII.

A NEW FRIEND.


Three weeks had passed away since Alice's death, and affairs at the
poor-house were beginning to glide on as usual. Sal Furbush, having