t was put within her reach. At last she became delirious,
and for some days had no knowledge how she was taken care of. One day,
after a long sleep, she woke restored to consciousness, and saw a woman
sitting by her bedside sewing. She sprang up in bed to look at the
stranger, who had not observed her open her eyes, but who started when
she heard her move, and exclaimed, "Oh, lie down, my child! lie down!"
laying her hand gently upon her.

"I don't know you," said Gerty; "where's my Uncle True?" for that was
the name by which True had told her to call him.

"He's gone out, dear; he'll be home soon. How do you feel--better?"

"Oh, yes! much better. Have I been asleep long?"

"Some time; lie down now, and I'll bring you some gruel--it will be good
for you."

"Does Uncle True know you are here?"

"Yes. I came in to sit with you while he was away."

"Come in?--From where?"

"From my room. I live in the other part of the house."

"I think you're very good," said Gerty. "I like you. I wonder why I did
not see you when you came in."

"You were too sick, dear, to notice; but I think you'll soon be better
now."

The woman prepared the gruel, and, after Gerty had taken it, reseated
herself at her work. Gerty laid down in bed, with her face towards her
new friend, and, fixing her large eyes upon her, watched her while she
sat sewing. At last the woman looked up, and said, "Well, what do you
think I am making?"

"I don't know," said Gerty; "what are you?"

The woman held up her work, so that Gerty could see that it was a dark
calico frock for a child.

"Oh! what a nice gown!" said Gerty. "Who it is for?--your little girl?"

"No," said the woman, "I haven't got any little girl; I've only got one
child, my boy Willie."

"Willie; that's a pretty name," said Gerty. "Is he a good boy?"

"Good? He's the best boy in the world, and the handsomest!" answered the
woman.

Gerty turned away, and a look so sad came over her countenance, that the
woman thought she was getting tired, and ought to be kept very quiet.
She told her so, and bade her to go to sleep again. Gerty lay still, and
then True came in.

"Oh, Mrs. Sullivan," said he, "you're here still! I'm very much obleeged
to you for stayin'; I hadn't calkerlated to be gone so long. And how
does the child seem to be, marm?"

"Much better, Mr. Flint. She's come to her reason, and I think, with
care, will do well now. Oh, she's awake," he added, seeing Gerty open
he