THEIR FAMILY TROUBLES. 21

windows, and one weary woman after another, stiff
with having sat so many hours up aloft among wet
boxes and tired children, was helped down from her
elevation, and seemed only to put herself in motion
with difficulty. The good Joanna was full of com-
passion, and pitied their having to find quarters in
the noisy and crowded public-houses, where they
would be unwelcome guests both to landlord and
landlady. Greatly interested as she was by the
whole arrival, her sympathies were presently enlisted
on behalf of a woman who, overcome by more than
fatigue, seemed unable to stand, and seated herself on
one of the chests; whilst a boy, of about twelve,
seemed to be the only one who took much thought
about her. She was wrapped in a large gray cloak ;
and the hood, which was drawn over her head, par-
tially revealed a face which was pale and dejected,
The boy ran hither and thither to the various groups
of women, who began to move off in various direc-
tions, and then back again to the sick woman, for
whose comfort he seemed very solicitous, for he
lugged along a small chest, upon which he made her
place her feet, and then wrapped her cloak about
her with the most affectionate care. All this Joanna
described to her sister, and then called her servant,
bidding her take her pattens and umbrella, and go
across, and ask if the poor woman would come in and
shelter. Instead of returning with her as was ox-
pected, Joanna saw her servant give her her arm, and
sheltering her with her large umbrella, move off
along the street, whilst the boy trudged after, carrying
a large bundle. On the return of tho servant, it
appeared that the woman, who was delicate, had been
taken ill on the road; that she was billeted to the