shoulder, and now she leaned to him still closer.

11. "Come in. We'll try what can be done for you." There was a change in
the man's voice that made me wonder. I entered a large room, in which
blazed a brisk fire. Before the fire sat two stout lads, who turned upon
me their heavy eyes, with no very welcome greeting. A middle-aged woman
was standing at a table, and two children were amusing themselves with a
kitten on the floor.

12. "A stranger, mother," said the man who had given me so rude a greeting
at the door; "and he wants us to let him stay all night."

13. The woman looked at me doubtingly for a few moments, and then replied
coldly, "We don't keep a public house."

14. "I'm aware of that, ma'am," said I; "but night has overtaken me, and
it's a long way yet to G--."

15. "Too far for a tired man to go on foot," said the master of the house,
kindly, "so it's no use talking about it, mother; we must give him a bed."


16. So unobtrusively that I scarce noticed the movement, the girl had
drawn to her mother's side. What she said to her I did not hear, for the
brief words were uttered in a low voice; but I noticed, as she spoke, one
small, fair hand rested on the woman's hand.

17. Was there magic in that touch? The woman's repulsive aspect changed
into one of kindly welcome, and she said, "Yes, it's a long way to G--. I
guess we can find a place for him."