t once to inquire into the condition of the
sick and wounded."

"And to find out how many candidates there may be for the hospital
cottage and other refuges," I added.

But the two good Samaritans, as they afterwards reported, were not so
appalled by the state of things at the Yorkes' cottage, as Mr.
Winston's tale had prepared them to be. Perhaps matters had improved
since he had left two hours since, or the stricken family had at once
accommodated themselves to the change in their circumstances. Certain
it is that aunt Emily and Milly found peace and serenity reigning: Mrs.
Yorke with the little cripple in her capacious lap, coddling and
petting her as the good soul well knew how to do; the captain piloting
the blind child about the house and garden, familiarizing him with
different objects, by which he might learn his own way about by his
acute sense of touch; the youngest--a teething, not consumptive,
baby--fast asleep; and even the recalcitrant "Matildy Jane" tolerably
pleasant and good-natured beneath the fascinations of a handsome,
sturdy urchin four years old, who, undaunted by her hard face and
snappish voice, insisted upon following her around, and "helping" her
in her manifold occupations. He was a boy who did not know how to be
snubbed, and had fairly won his way with his ungracious aunt, by sheer
persistence in his unwelcome attentions. To all her hospitable
intimations that he and his family had brought an immense addition to
her cares and labors,--which certainly was true,--he opposed smiles and
caresses, and assurances that so long as he was there he would share
and lighten all these; appearing to think that she complained and
scolded only to draw forth his sympathy and aid.

Who could stand out against such a fellow? Not even "Matildy Jane." And
she had succumbed; at least, so far as he was concerned.

The mother of the helpless group, pale, feeble, and careworn though she
was, had already shown herself eager to lessen, so far as possible, the
burden she had brought upon the family of her husband, and sat peeling
potatoes from a huge basket on the one side, while a pan of apples,
duly pared and quartered, stood awaiting the oven upon the other.
Plainly Matilda Jane had had no scruples of delicacy in availing
herself of the services of her newly arrived sister-in-law.

"What _are_ you going to do with them all, Captain Yorke?" asked Milly,
pityingly, as she stood beside the old sailor in the porch,