yourself so very
ugly."

"Because folks say that I am an ugly child, and that nobody loves ugly
children."

"Yes, people do," said Emily, "love ugly children, if they are good."

"But I an't good," said Gerty, "I'm really bad!"

"But you _can be good_," said Emily, "and then everybody will love you."

"Do you think I can be good?"

"Yes, if you try."

"I will try."

"I _hope_ you will," said Emily. "Mr. Flint thinks a great deal of his
little girl, and she must do all she can to please him."

She then asked concerning Gerty's former way of life, and became so
interested in the recital of the little girl's early sorrows and trials,
that she was unconscious of the flight of time, and quite unobservant of
the departure of the organist, who had ceased playing, closed his
instrument, and gone away.

Gerty was very communicative. The sweet voice and sympathetic tones of
Emily went straight to her heart, and though her whole life had been
passed among the poorer and lowest classes of people, she felt no awe
and constraint on her encountering, for the first time, a lady of
polished mind and manners. On the contrary, Gerty clung to Emily as
affectionately, and stroked her soft boa with as much freedom, as if she
had herself been born in a palace. Once or twice she took Emily's
nicely-gloved hand between both her own, and held it tight; her
favourite mode of expressing her warmth of gratitude and admiration.
The excitable but interesting child took no less strong a hold upon Miss
Graham's feelings. The latter perceived how neglected the little one had
been, and the importance of her being educated, lest early abuse, acting
upon an impetuous disposition, should prove destructive to a nature
capable of the best attainments. The two were still entertaining each
other, when Mr. Arnold entered the church hastily. As he came up the
aisle, he called to Emily, saying, "Emily; dear, I fear you thought I
had forgotten you. I have been longer than I intended. Were you not
tired of waiting?"

"I thought it was but a very little while. I have had company, you see."

"What, little folks," said Mr. Arnold, good-naturedly. "Where did this
little body come from?"

"She came to the church this afternoon with Mr. Cooper. Isn't he here
for her?"

"Cooper?--No: he went straight home after he left me; he's probably
forgotten all about the child. What's to be done?"

"Can't we take her home? Is it far?"

"It is two or three stree