ple's
throats.

"It is better where it is, Morris," said her master; "and we will
forgive these poor people; shall we not? They are lamentably ignorant,
you see."

Morris thought forgiveness was always pretty sure to come in time but it
was not very easy at the moment. She thought she could get over their
robbing her master of any amount of property; but she could not excuse
their making him ridiculous before his lady's own eyes.

"They cannot make him ridiculous, Morris," said Hester, cheerfully.

"People who are persecuted are considered great, you know, Morris," said
Margaret.

"Bravo, ladies!" cried Hope. "You keep up your own spirits, and my
complacency, bravely. But seriously, Morris," he continued, perceiving
that the vulgarity of the present affliction weighed down the good
woman's heart; "is it not true that few of our trials--none of those
which are most truly trials--seem dignified at the time? If they did,
patience would be easier than it is. The death of martyrs to their
faith is grand to look back upon; but it did not appear so to the best
of the martyrs at the time. This little trial of ours looks provoking,
and foolish, and mean, to us to-night; but whether it really is so, will
depend on how we bear it; and whatever it may bring after it, grand or
mean, all we have to do is to be good-humoured with it, Morris."

Morris curtsied low.

"And now, to your rooms," resumed Hope: "this place is growing too
chilly for you, notwithstanding Morris's capital fire."

"One thing more," said Margaret. "I am a little uneasy about Maria.
Has any one thought of her? She must be anxious about us."

"I will go this moment," said Hope. "Nay, my love, it is early yet; no
one in Deerbrook is gone to rest yet, but the children. I can be back
in ten minutes, and the street is empty."

"Let him go," said Margaret. "It will be a great kindness; and surely
there is no danger now."

Hope was gone. He did not come back in ten minutes, nor in half an
hour. Even Margaret heartily repented having urged him to leave home.
During his absence she thus repented, but no longer when he returned.
He brought news which made her hasten to dress herself for the open air,
when she was quite ready to retire to rest. It was well that her
brother had gone. Maria had been thrown down by the crowd, which had
overtaken her as she was walking homewards, and she had broken her leg.
The limb was set, the case was a simple an