32 THE FIRST GLASS OF WINE;

 

looking woman and refused to pity her,
The heart of the kind lady of the house
melted with compassion the moment her eyes :
rested upon her. |

“This isa dreary night for you to be
out in, my poor woman,’ she said, kindly.
‘Can I do anything for you?’ |

“*The features of the stranger —_

convulsively as she tried in vain to speak.
Then she covered her face with her hands,
and cried hear tily.

‘««T have never begged in my. life, a and I
_ do not know how to do it now,’ she said, at
‘ length. * But I could not sit down this
night and see my children freezing and starv~
ing around me without making an effort to
save them.’ | |

‘©*¢ My good woman,’ said the lady, ‘do

not say another word. Come to the fire and