t every little noise
gives me quite a fright. I shall be better, love, please God, when I
come back from Southport. I am so glad you've got the order, for you've
taken a deal of pains about it." Mrs. Lee sighed.

"Don't you want to go?" asked Bessy, rather sadly. "You always seem so
sorrowful and anxious when we talk about it."

"It's partly my being ailing that makes me anxious, I know," said Mrs.
Lee. "But it seems as if so many things might happen while I was away."

Bessy felt a little impatient. Young people in strong health can hardly
understand the fears that beset invalids. Bessy was a kind-hearted girl,
but rather headstrong, and just now a little disappointed. She forgot
that her mother had had to struggle hard with many cares ever since she
had been left a widow, and that her illness now had made her nervous.

"What nonsense, mother! What can happen? I can take care of the house
and the little ones, and Tom and Jem can take care of themselves. What
is to happen?"

"Jenny may fall into the fire," murmured Mrs. Lee, who found little
comfort in being talked to in this way. "Or your father's watch may be
stolen while you are in, talking with the neighbours, or----"

"Now come, mother, you know I've had the charge of Jenny ever since
father died, and you began to go out washing--and I'll lock father's
watch up in the box in our room."

"Then Tom and Jem won't know at what time to go to the factory. Besides,
Bessy," said she, raising herself up, "they're are but young lads, and
there's a deal of temptation to take them away from their homes, if
their homes are not comfortable and pleasant to them. It's that, more
than anything, I've been fretting about all the time I've been
ill,--that I've lost the power of making this house the cleanest and
brightest place they know. But it's no use fretting," said she, falling
back weakly upon the bed and sighing. "I must leave it in God's hands.
He raiseth up and He bringeth low."

Bessy stood silent for a minute or two. Then she said, "Well, mother, I
will try to make home comfortable for the lads, if you'll but keep your
mind easy, and go off to Southport quiet and cheerful."

"I'll try," said Mrs. Lee, taking hold of Bessy's hand, and looking up
thankfully in her face.

The next Wednesday she set off, leaving home with a heavy heart, which,
however, she struggled against, and tried to make more faithful. But she
wished her three weeks at Southport were over.

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