THE GIPSY WOMAN. 41

once. The woman had been speaking in a very
low tone, and Bertha noticed she was afraid lest
the men would see them; so she walked very care-
fully, as she saw the woman do, till they got out of
sight of the fire, and the donkey, and the men.
 You shouldn't wander so far from home, little
lady," said the gipsy woman; "many children
like you have been stolen away from their friends
before now; if it hadn't been that Mrs. Bevan
has been kind to me when my baby and I were
ill, I wouldn't take the trouble to see you safe
home. But mind, I expect you'll give me some-
thing for my trouble "
 "Oh yes," said Bertha eagerly; "I have a
bright new shilling in my little box,-I shall ask
Nurse Bevan to give you that."
 "And will the little lady ask Mrs. Bevan for
some food for the little children ? "
 Oh yes, Bertha was quite willing to ask nurse
for anything the woman had a fancy for; and,
what was more, she was certain nurse would give
her whatever she desired.
 Very much surprised, therefore, was Bertha,
when, on running to the parlour, she was received
by nurse in a very grim manner; and when she
had told her story, was ordered to go to bed at