THE LAST PENNY. 23

 

replenish his pipe. He stayed some time
—longer than he usually took for such an
errand.

When he came back he had three oranges
in his pocket; and in his hands were two
fresh bunns, and a cup of sweet new milk.
No beer had passed his lips, and his pipe
was yet unsupplied. He had passed
through another long conflict with his old
appetites; but love for his child came off,
as before, the conqueror.

Lizzy, who drooped about all day, lying
down most of her time, never went to sleep
early. She was awake, as usual, when her
father returned. With scarcely less eager-
ness than she had eaten the orange in the
morning, did she now drink the nourish-
ing milk and eat the sweet bunns, while
her father sat looking at her, his heart
throbbing with inexpressible delight.

From that day the pipe and the mug
were thrown aside. It cost a. prolonged
struggle. But the man conquered the mere
animal. And Claire found himself no worse