sband
took up his hat and went out. For a long, long time after, Ellen sat
in dreamy, sad abstraction, holding her babe to her breast. From
this state, a sense of duty roused her, and laying her infant on the
bed,--for they had not yet been able to spare money for a
cradle,--she began to busy herself in her domestic duties. This
brought some little relief.

About eleven o'clock Jane came in with her usual cheerful, almost
happy face, bringing in her hand a stout bundle. Her countenance
changed in its expression to one of concern, the moment her eyes
rested upon her sister's face, and she laid her bundle on a chair
quickly, as if she half desired to keep it out of Ellen's sight.

"What is the matter, Ellen?" she asked, with tender concern, the
moment she had closed the door.

Ellen could not reply; her heart was too full. But she leaned her
head upon her sister's shoulder, and, for the first time since she
had heard the sad news of the morning, burst into tears. Jane was
surprised, and filled with anxious concern. She waited until this
ebullition of feeling in some degree abated, and then said, in a
tone still more tender than that in which she had first spoken,--

"Ellen, dear sister! tell me what has happened?"

"I am foolish, sister," at length, said Ellen, looking up, and
endeavoring to dry her tears. "But I cannot help it. Henry was
discharged from the shop this morning; and now, what are we to do?
We have nothing ahead, and I am afraid he will not be able to get
anything to do here, or within many miles of the village."

"That is bad, Ellen," replied Jane, while a shadow fell upon her
face, but a few moments before so glowing and happy. And that was
nearly all she could say; for she did not wish to offer false
consolation, and she could think of no genuine words of comfort.
After a while, each grew more composed and less reserved; and then
the whole matter was talked over, and all that Jane could say, that
seemed likely to soothe and give hope to Ellen's mind, was said with
earnestness and affection.

"What have you there?" at length asked Ellen, glancing towards the
chair upon which Jane had laid her bundle.

Jane paused a moment, as if in self-communion, and then said--

"Only a pair of blankets, and a couple of calico dresses that I have
been out buying."

"Let me look at them," said Ellen, in as cheerful a voice as she
could assume.

A large heavy pair of blankets, for which Jane had paid five
d