ich blazed a brisk fire. Before the
fire sat two stout lads, who turned upon me their heavy eyes, with
no very welcome greeting. A middle-aged woman was standing at a
table, and two children were amusing themselves with a kitten on the
floor.

"A stranger, mother," said the man who had given me so rude a
greeting at the door; "and he wants us to let him stay all night."

The woman looked at me doubtingly for a few moments, and then
replied coldly--

"We don't keep a public-house."

"I'm aware of that, ma'am," said I; "but night has overtaken me, and
it's a long way yet to G----."

"Too far for a tired man to go on foot," said the master of the
house, kindly, "so it's no use talking about it, mother; we must
give him a bed."

So unobtrusively, that I scarcely noticed the movement, the girl had
drawn to the woman's side. What she said to her, I did not hear, for
the brief words were uttered in a low voice; but I noticed, as she
spoke, one small, fair hand rested on the woman's hand. Was there
magic in that gentle touch? The woman's repulsive aspect changed
into one of kindly welcome, and she said:

"Yes, it's a long way to G----. I guess we can find a place for him.
Have you had any supper?"

I answered in the negative.

The woman, without further remark, drew a pine table from the wall,
placed upon it some cold meat, fresh bread and butter, and a pitcher
of new milk. While these preparations were going on, I had more
leisure for minute observation. There was a singular contrast
between the young girl I have mentioned and the other inmates of the
room; and yet, I could trace a strong likeness between the maiden
and the woman, whom I supposed to be her mother--browned and hard as
were the features of the latter.

Soon after I had commenced eating my supper, the two children who
were playing on the floor, began quarrelling with each other.

"John! go off to bed!" said the father, in a loud, peremptory voice,
speaking to one of the children.

But John, though he could not help hearing, did not choose to obey.

"Do you hear me, sir? Off with you!" repeated the angry father.

"I don't want to go," whined the child.

"Go, I tell you, this minute!"

Still, there was not the slightest movement to obey; and the little
fellow looked the very image of rebellion. At this crisis in the
affair, when a storm seemed inevitable, the sister, as I supposed
her to be, glided across the room, and stooping down, took the