The Orbhans. 13

any other way of escaping from his sorrow than
in noisy amusements.

The day after he had followed his mother to
the grave, he went with some lads of his own
age to slide upon the ice. Fred understood his
duty in a different manner. The first outburst
of grief over, he determined to follow the advice
of his deceased mother, by working hard. He
returned to the workroom, his eyes red, his face
pale, his heart sad, but resolute. His employer,
Mr. Kartmann, stopped as he was passing by
him in the course of the day.

“You have stayed away for several days,’ said
he to him severely. ‘Will you give up this un-
punctual habit ?’

‘I was attending to my sick mother, sir’

“Is she better now?’

‘She is dead, sir,’ replied Frederick, bursting
into tears.

Mr. Kartmann uttered an exclamation of
surprise.

‘My poor boy!’ said he, ‘when dic she
die?’

‘Three days ago,’

‘You may go home, Fred, and not return until
the end of the week, when you will receive your