t
sort of thing; and no end of collections and contributions; and the
people that get the collections must attend to the people they are
collected for. _We_ can't, you know. Well, I must go and rehearse."

He went off; but immediately after another tap at the door announced
David. He stepped inside the door; a great mark of condescension. He
had never come to Matilda's room until now.

"So busy you can't spare time for proverbs?" he said. "But what is the
matter?" For Norton's want of sympathy had disappointed Matilda, and
she had tears in her eyes and on her cheeks again. What should she do
now? she thought. She had half counted on Norton's helping her. David
was quite earnest to know the cause of trouble; and Matilda at last
confessed she was thinking about the people that lived in that cellar
room.

"Where is the place?" David inquired.

"I can't tell; and I am sure you couldn't find it. We turned and
turned, going and coming. It's an ugly way too. You couldn't find it,
David."

"But your crying will not help them, Tilly."

"No," said Matilda, trying to dash the tears away. "If I could help
them, I wouldn't cry. But I must. O think of living so, David! No beds,
that we would call beds; and those on the dirty ground; and living
without _anything_. O I didn't know people lived so! What can I do?"

"I'll tell you," said David. "We'll try to find another place for them
to live, and see how much that would cost; and then we can lay our
plans."

Matilda was breathless for a minute. "O thank you. How can we find out
about that? I might ask Mr. Wharncliffe! mightn't I?"

"I should think you might."

"Then I'll do that, next time I see him. But I haven't got much money,
David."

"Well, we'll see about that. Find out how much a decent lodging would
cost; and then we can tell, you know. I'll make Judy help; and Norton
will shell out something. He always keeps holes in his purse."

"I don't see how he can have much in it, then," said Matilda, trying to
laugh. "But you are _very_ good, David."

"Well, you are good, I am sure," said he glancing at the lace. "Is that
thing going to keep you prisoner much longer?"

"No; it is getting done; it will be done in time," the little girl
answered gratefully and happily; and with a smile David left her.

The work went on nicely after that day. Matilda's visions grew
glorious, not of Christmas toys, but of changed human life, in one
place, at least. She went over and over