he's sure having a hard time of it. Do what you think is best, but be
careful not to let Mrs. Fischer think you want to help her son, or all your
plans will be upset. She doesn't care what becomes of the boy, and I think
she would be glad to see him die, but doesn't dare to be the one to end his
life. But she'll do it if she keeps on as she is going."

"Well, with your consent I'll do what I can," replied Mrs. Hahn, and with a
relieved expression she hastened to make some plans that were to amount
very much to Edwin.

Mrs. Fischer graciously consented to let her son go to help the old couple
now and then, "but," she added, "you'll soon find that he's no good to
anybody. I find him lots more bother than he's worth."

"I'll risk that part of it," Mrs. Hahn answered, and from that day a great
change came into the poor boy's life.

In the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hahn, Edwin was still very timid, but they were
so kind and considerate that his intense fear gradually gave way to
confidence and trust. It seemed that his new friends were never vexed
because of his extreme ignorance. Instead of reproaching him for what he
did not know or understand, they took extra pains to explain their meaning
in the simplest language possible. To Edwin the explanation of the most
trifling every-day occurrences seemed wonderful, and to the unenlightened
child it opened up many avenues for thought that had hitherto been closed.
Never once while he was with them did they seem to grow weary of trying to
make things more simple and plain for the inquiring child.

The more Edwin associated with these friends, the more he began to
understand how he had been wronged; for many questions concerning the