r eyes.

True came to the bedside, stroked back her hair, now cut short, and felt
her pulse, and nodded his head satisfactorily. Gerty caught his great
hand between both of hers, and held it tight. He sat down on the side of
the bed, and said, "I shouldn't be surprised if she needed her new
clothes sooner than we thought of, marm. It's my opinion we'll have her
up and about afore many days."

"So I was thinking," said Mrs. Sullivan; "but don't be in too great a
hurry. She's had a very severe sickness, and her recovery must be
gradual. Did you see Miss Graham to-day?"

"Yes, I did see her, poor thing! The Lord bless her sweet face! She
axed a sight o' questions about little Gerty here, and gave me this
parcel of _arrer-root_, I think she called it. She says it's excellent
in sickness. Did you ever fix any, Mrs. Sullivan, so that you can jist
show me how, if you'll be so good; for I declare I don't remember,
though she took a deal o' pains to tell me."

"Oh, yes; it's very easy. I'll come in and prepare some by-and-by. I
don't think Gerty'll want any at present; she's just had some gruel. But
father has come home, and I must be seeing about our tea. I'll come in
again this evening, Mr. Flint."

"Thank you, marm, thank you; you're very kind."

During the few following days Mrs. Sullivan came in and sat with Gerty
several times. She was a gentle woman, with a placid face, very
refreshing to a child that had long lived in fear, and suffered a great
deal of abuse. One evening, when Gerty had nearly recovered, she was
sitting in True's lap by the fire, carefully wrapped in a blanket. She
had been talking to him about her new acquaintance and friend, when
suddenly she said, "Uncle True, do you know what little girl she's
making a gown for?"

"For a little girl," said True, "that needs a frock and a many other
things; for she hasn't got any clothes, except a few old rags. Do you
know any such little girl, Gerty?"

"I guess I do," said Gerty, with a very knowing look.

"Well, where is she?"

"An't she in your lap?"

"What, you!--Why, do you think Mrs. Sullivan would spend her time making
clothes for you?"

"Well," said Gerty hanging her head, "I shouldn't _think_ she would, but
then you _said_----"

"Well, what did I say?"

"Something about new clothes for me."

"So I did," said True; "they _are_ for you--two whole suits, with shoes
and stockings."

Gerty opened her large eyes in amazement, and clapped her h