64 THE CHILDREN IN THE WOOD.

at the thought of what these dear babes will do without a
parent's care. Brother, brother,” continued the gentleman,
putting out his hand as well as he could, and pointing to the
children, “they will have none but you to be kind to them ;
none but you to see them clothed and fed, and teach them to
be good and happy.”"—‘Dear, dear brother,” said the dying
lady, “you must be father, mother, and uncle too, to these
lovely little lambs. First let William be taught to read ; and
then he should be told how good his father was. And little
Jane,—Oh! brother, it wrings my heart to talk of her. Think
of the gentle usage she will stand in need of, and take her
fondly on your knee, brother, and she and William too will
repay your care with love.”

The uncle then answered, “Oh! how it grieves my heart to
see you, my dearest brother and sister, in this sad state! but
take comfort, there may still be hope of your getting well ; yet,
if we should lose.you, I will do all you can desire for your
darling children. In me they shall find a father, mother, and
uncle. William shall learn to read; and shall be often told
how good his father was, that he may turn out as good himself
when he grows up to bea man. Jane shall be used with the
most tender care, and shall be kindly fondled on my knee.
But, dear brother, you have said nothing of the riches you
must leave behind. "I am sure you know my heart too well to
think that I speak of this for any other reason than your dear
children’s good, and that I may be able to make use of all your
money only for their sake.”—* Pray, brother,” said the dying
man, “do not grieve me with talking of any such thing; for
how could you, who would be their father, mother, and uncle
too, once think of wronging them? Here, here, brother, is my
will. You will see that I have done the best thing I could for
my babes.” A few moments after the gentleman had said these