rk and late, and still they
did not come. Agnes had often heard of the dangers of snow among the
hills, and she soon got uneasy. Her little brothers were afraid too,
though they hardly knew for what. They listened to every sound of the
wind; they started at times, thinking it was their father's step; but
all in vain. At last Agnes said they must go to bed; and as they had
all been well trained to be obedient, they came and said their prayers
at her knees, and then went to rest with fearful hearts.

Next morning, when Agnes looked out, she saw there had been a heavy
fall of snow, so that the cottage was almost shut up, and it would be
impossible for them even to reach the nearest neighbours. And, oh!
there was no sign of their dear father and mother's return. She had a
lingering hope that they might have been detained all night at
Grasmere; but her fears were far greater. It was, indeed, a terrible
situation for six little children to be left in, and her mind being
advanced beyond her years, she felt all the danger. But she knew where
to look for help; and He who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for
ever, heard the cry of this forsaken child, and gave her wisdom and
ability for her time of need, as truly as he gave to Solomon on the
throne of Israel, long ages before.

She wound up the clock, dressed the infants, and made the older
children come and say their prayers as usual. She knew that their
greatest danger would be that of starvation, should the storm last
long. Their mother had left plenty of milk in the house, and Agnes
scalded it carefully, to prevent it turning sour. Then she examined
the meal-chest, and finding there was not much in it, she put all
except the babies (these were little twins) on a short allowance of
porridge, but baked some flour cakes as a kind of treat. Then, as the
day went on, she took courage to open the door, and with her brothers
got as far as the peat-stack at the cottage side, and among them they
managed to carry within doors as many peats as would keep up the fire
for a week. She examined the potatoes, which were buried among
withered ferns; but as there were not many, only brought in enough for
a day, afraid of heat spoiling them.

Then she thought of the cow, and made her way to the byre. She milked
the poor animal, but got very little from her, and had great
difficulty in pulling down hay out of the loft for her to eat;
besides, it was getting dark, and poor Agnes felt very fr