all alone, for there is no one near to help us in our trouble."

"Come," said Mistress Madge, rising to her feet and taking his hand;
"lead us to your home, and we will see if we cannot assist your poor
mother."

So the Squire and his daughter and Little Boy Blue all walked down to
the little cottage, and the Squire had a long talk with the poor
widow. And that same day a big basket of dainties was sent to the
cottage, and Mistress Madge bade her own maid go to the widow and
nurse her carefully until she recovered.

So that after all Little Boy Blue did more for his dear mother by
falling asleep than he could had he kept wide awake; for after his
mother was well again the Squire gave them a pretty cottage to live in
very near to the great house itself, and the Squire's daughter was
ever afterward their good friend, and saw that they wanted for no
comforts of life.

And Little Boy Blue did not fall asleep again at his post, but watched
the cows and the sheep faithfully for many years, until he grew up to
manhood and had a farm of his own.

He always said his mother's accident had brought him good luck, but I
think it was rather his own loving heart and his devotion to his
mother that made him friends. For no one is afraid to trust a boy who
loves to serve and care for his mother.