sed, and looked at his wife.

"Well, then, I'll get out little Polly's things; they'll just about fit
her," said Mrs. Coomber, hastily wiping her eyes with her apron for fear
her husband should reproach her again for her tears.

When the boys came in, the little girl said, shyly, "Tome and tell me
about the nets."

Dick looked at her, and then at his mother.

"What does she mean?" he asked, drawing near the little bed where Tiny
lay.

"She wants to know about the fishing," said Mrs. Coomber. "Have you had
a good take, Dick?" asked his mother, rather anxiously, for she wanted
some more milk for Tiny, and her little secret store of halfpence was
gone now.

"Oh, it ain't much," said Dick; "Bob has taken a few plaice to Fellness,
and I dessay he'll bring back some bread or some flour."

"But I want some milk for the child; she can't eat bread and fish and
potatoes now she's ill. Couldn't you run up to the farm, Dick, and ask
Mrs. Hayes if she wants a bit o' fish, and I'll be thankful for a drop
o' milk for it."

But Dick looked dubious. "I'd like to go," he said, "if it was only to
have a word with Harry Hayes, and ask him about his rabbits; but father
don't like the farm people now, and he said I was never to speak to
them. You know they've had a quarrel."

"Well, what are we to do? They are our only neighbours, and they ain't a
bad sort either, Mrs. Hayes is a kind soul, who has children of her own,
and would let me have milk in a minute if she knew I wanted it for this
poor little mite," said Mrs. Coomber, in perplexity as to the best thing
to do.

"I'll go, mother, if you can find any fish worth taking," at last said
Dick.

Mrs. Coomber went and turned over what the boys had brought. The best
had been picked out and sent to Fellness, and what was left was not more
than sufficient for themselves; but she carefully looked out the largest
she could find and washed it. While she was doing this her husband came
in.

"It's a poor take to-day, mother," he said.

"Yes, and I wanted a bit extra, to get some milk for the child," said
Mrs. Coomber; "but I think I can manage with this," she said, still
busying herself with the fish, and not turning to look at her husband.

"What are yer goin' to do wi' it?" he inquired.

"I want to send Dick up to the farm; Mrs. Hayes will give me some milk
for it, I know," replied his wife, trying to speak in a matter-of-fact
tone.

[Illustration: "'ME LIKES 'OU,' SHE SAID."