slowly descended toward it, as it sank away. All the shadows of the
night were disappearing, at the command once given, "Let there be light,"
and re-obeyed at the birth of every day. Phillis's heart warmed with
gratitude to God who had given to her a knowledge of himself. She thought
of her many mercies, her health, her comforts, and the comparative
happiness of each member of her family; of the kindness of her master and
the ladies; all these considerations affected her as they never had before,
for gratitude and love to God ever inspires us with love and kindness to
our fellow creatures.

Her thoughts returned to Alice, but all superstitious dread was gone; Aunt
Peggy's strange wanderings no longer oppressed her; her mind was in its
usual healthy state. "The good Lord is above us all," she said, "and Miss
Alice is one of his children." She saw the house door open, and William
coming toward her on his way to the stable. It was without any agitation
that she asked what was the matter? "Miss Alice is very sick," said
William, "and I am going for the doctor."

"I am glad I happened to be here," said Phillis, "may be they want me."

"You better not go in now," said William, "for she's asleep. Miss Anna
told me to walk very easy, for she would not have her waked for all the
world."

So Phillis, seeing Aunt Peggy's door open, thought she would step over and
find out if the old lady had slept off her notions.

Aunt Peggy's cabin had two rooms, in one of which, she and her
granddaughter slept, in the other Nancy cooked and washed, and occupied
herself with various little matters. Nancy had been up a short time and was
mixing some Indian bread for their breakfast. She looked surprised, at
having so early a visitor.

"How is your grandmother, child?" said Phillis; "did she sleep well?"

"Mighty well," said Nancy. "She aint coughed at all as I heard, since she
went to bed."

"Well, I'm glad to hear it," said Phillis, "for I thought she was going to
be sick, she was so curious last night."

"She didn't complain, any way," said Nancy, going on with her breadmaking,
so Phillis got up to go home. As she passed the door of the other room, she
could but stop to look in at the hard, iron features of the old creature,
as she lay in slumber. Her long black face contrasted most remarkably with
the white pillow on which it was supported, her hair making her head look
double its actual size, standing off from her ears and head. One