y went to her, and offered to take care of her cow and hens, as
long as Jack might be sick.

"It would have melted your heart," said Guy, as he finished his story,
"had you seen the old lady cry for joy at my offer. She looked so
thankful, and seemed so much relieved, that I felt as happy as an angel,
to think that by doing such a little thing as milking and feeding a cow
for a few weeks, I could shed so much light in the dwelling of a poor, but
noble woman."

Jessie's eyes swam with tears. She pressed Guy's hand, but spoke not. He
understood the meaning of that pressure. He knew that in her heart she was
saying, "My brother did right, and those boys were very wicked for calling
after him. I love my dear brother better than ever."

While such thoughts as these were passing in Jessie's mind, and Guy was
feeling the gladness which welled up within him like living water, they
reached the cottage. Mrs. Moneypenny received them with smiles of welcome.
She kissed Jessie, and said:

"You look as if you had a heart as kind as your brother's. May Heaven
bless you both!"

[Illustration: Mrs. Moneypenny Reading Jack's Letter. Page 153.]

Then the old lady began to talk about her "dear Jack." After telling them
he was "getting along nicely," she read a letter which he made out to
write in pencil, as he lay bolstered up in his bed. Having finished it,
the good mother sighed, and said:

"Dear Jack! How I do wish he could be brought home, so that I could take
care of him myself! There is no nurse like a mother. The poor fellow says
he wants some more shirts sent him, but I haven't another to send him, nor
any thing to make him one with. Ah, my children, poverty is not a pleasant
heritage; but never mind; life is short, and I and my poor Jack will have
mansions, robes, and riches in the better land. May you, my children, be
blessed with such treasures both here and hereafter!"

After Guy had "looked to the cow," in the hovel which answered for a barn,
he and his sister took their leave of the widow.

Jessie walked quietly home, looking very grave, and scarcely speaking a
word by the way. Once she turned to Guy and asked:

"How large a boy is Jack?"

"About my size," replied Guy.

Jessie had a big thought in her head--I mean a big thought for a little
girl. If you wish to know what it was, you must consult the next chapter.

CHAPTER X.

Madge Clifton.

When Jessie reached home she threw her hood and cloak carel