ords, "Why didn't I die
too?"

The sight of her grief touched Hannah's heart, and sitting down by the
little girl, she tried to comfort her. Mary felt that her words and
manner were prompted by real sympathy, and after a time she grew calm,
and listened, while Hannah told her that "as soon as her mistress got
so any body could go near her, she meant to ask her to take Ella
Howard to fill the place of her own daughter."

"They look as much alike as two beans," said she, "and sposin' Ella
Howard ain't exactly her own flesh and blood, she would grow into
liking her, I know."

Mary was not selfish, and the faint possibility that her sister might
not be obliged to go to the poor-house, gave her comfort, though she
knew that in all probability she herself must go. After a few more
words Hannah entered the cottage, but she wisely chose to keep from
Ella a knowledge of her plan, which very likely might not succeed.
That night after her return home Hannah lingered for a long time about
the parlor door, glancing wistfully towards her mistress, who
reclined upon the sofa with her face entirely hidden by her cambric
handkerchief.

"It's most too soon, I guess," thought Hannah, "I'll wait till
to-morrow."

Accordingly next morning, when, as she had expected, she was told to
carry her mistress's toast and coffee to her room, she lingered for a
while, and seemed so desirous of speaking that Mrs. Campbell asked
what she wanted.

"Why, you see, ma'am, I was going to say a word about,--about that
youngest Howard girl." (She dared not say Ella.) "She's got to go to
the poor-house, and it's a pity, she's so handsome. Why couldn't she
come here and live? I'll take care of her, and 'twouldn't be nigh so
lonesome."

At this allusion to her bereavement Mrs. Campbell burst into tears,
and motioned Hannah from the room.

"I'll keep at her till I fetch it about," thought Hannah, as she
obeyed the lady's order. But further persuasion from her was rendered
unnecessary, for Mrs. Lincoln, whom we have once before mentioned,
called that afternoon, and after assuring her friend that she never
before saw one who was so terribly afflicted, or who stood so much in
need of sympathy, she casually mentioned the Howards, and the extreme
poverty to which they were reduced. This reminded Mrs. Campbell of
Hannah's suggestion, which she repeated to her visitor, who answered,
"It would unquestionably be a good idea to take her, for she is large
enough