interview with Sir Harry Blythedale.

"I could not help it, Patience," he said, "we couldn't leave the poor
fatherless child out on the hedge-side."

"No," said Patience, "we can't but have her, as the gentleman said,
for the love of God. He has taken care of us, so we ought to take
care of the fatherless--like ourselves."

"That's right, Patience," said Steadfast, much relieved in his mind,
"and see here!"

"I wonder you took that, Stead, and the poor gentlemen so ill off
themselves."

"Well, Patience, I thought if you would not have her, Goody Grace
might for the pay, but then who knows when any more may come?"

"Aye," said Patience, "we must keep her, though she will be a
handful. Anyway, all this must be laid out for her, and the first
chance I have, some shall be in decent clothes. I can't a-bear to
see her in those dirty gewgaws."




CHAPTER XIII.

GODLY VENN'S TROOP.