CHAPTER XI.

ALICE GRAY.


One morning, after the three boys had taken a pretty long walk, they
came to a small cottage, standing by a garden, round which was a neat
hedge. Part of this garden was planted with vegetables, and part with
flowers, while many vines and sweet brier bushes stood before the
cottage door. There were also large, white roses, which Samuel thought
finer than any he had yet seen; and in a corner of the garden farthest
from the house, stood two bee hives. As the boys passed by, a young
woman came out on the piazza, and asked them in. John and Thomas had
often been here; so they opened the gate and passed through with their
cousin. The young woman, whose name was Alice, brought out chairs, and
some new milk in bowls, for each of them to drink. Then she walked with
them through the garden, showing them through the flowers, and telling
their names. He was much pleased with the bee hives; they were made of
wood, with glass tops, so that the bees might be seen at work. After
watching them for some time, they returned through the garden to the
cottage door. At this moment an old lady came to the door, and spoke to
Mr. Harvey's boys. Samuel observed that she was very feeble, and that
her voice could scarcely be heard. She looked like one who had been
often sick. When they left the cottage, he asked who she was.

[Illustration: ALICE GRAY.]