CHAP. XVITI.—TOM GIVES HIS EARNINGS.

K\, T last they reached the place. It was a
Ad» small cottage, with two windows, and
one chimney, and one door. They knocked
gently. The little girl opened the door, and
smiled when she saw Tom. Her feet were
still bare, and her hair still looked as though
it had never been brushed, and her frock was
very old indeed.

“May we come in?” said Tom’s mamma.
‘How is your father ?”

“ Father's better,” answered she; “ mother’s

   
  

out.” |

They walked into the room. Tom still
held the six shillings and eightpence tightly in
his hand. The sick man sat in the arm-chair,
looking pale and ill. There was a cupboard

in the corner, and the door was open. In it
M .