Helen gave her mother, during breakfast, an account of all she had seen
and done the day before; and when she had finished her recital, she said,
"Mamma, I have been thinking this morning that I have a half-guinea that
my grandmamma Elliott gave me, when she was last here, to buy a new gown;
at present I do not particularly want one, and I should like very much
that you would allow me to go down the water as far as Langholm, to buy
some coarse cloth to make frocks for poor David Little's children; they
are almost naked, and I do not think their father will be able to procure
them clothes for some time, while he is lying on a sick bed." "Helen,"
said her mother, "you may do exactly as you please with your half-guinea,
it is your own; but I would have you think the subject well over before
you act. You know I have promised that you shall go with your father and
me to Melrose this autumn. Now, perhaps, you would like to have a new gown
to wear whilst you are there. It is but fair to tell you, that I shall not
be able to afford to buy you one this summer, having spent all I can
conveniently spare, in fitting out your brother for school. Therefore, my
dear, you must choose whether you prefer going to Melrose in your old
gown, in order to have the pleasure of dressing these poor little
creatures, or expend your money and appear smart, when you make your first
visit from home." Helen looked very serious for some minutes, and then
said, "my dear mamma, if you please, I will wait till to-morrow before I
give you my answer; for, at present, I really do not know what to do. I
should certainly like to be dressed neatly when I go to see grandmamma;
because I know that that would give her pleasure; but when I think of the
poor little naked children, they make my heart ache." "Very well, my dear,
be it so, go now, and begin your morning lessons."

Mr. Martin then desired the servant, who was taking away the breakfast
things, to send John into his study, and giving Helen a kiss, and telling
her to be very attentive to her mother's instructions, left the room. On