POOR LITTLE HARRY. . 4l

She was running out again when her father
called her.

“ He must know it’s dinner-time, Nell. You
come and sit down, and he'll turn up directly.
He'll be too hungry to stop out long.”

But the meal was finished without any signs
of Harry. Mr. Maine went off to his work
again, and Mrs. Maine heaped on a plate meat
and vegetables enough to satisfy an enormous
appetite, turned down a basin over it, and put
it in the oven to keep hot.

Still he did not come. At last when it was
more than half-past three, Nellie asked if she
might go out and look for him.

“Tam going myself,” said her mother, put-
ting on her bonnet. “You must stay here and
take care of the house.”

Nellie was silent and her face wore a down-
cast look. She was beginning to be afraid
something had happened to the poor child, and
it seemed so very hard to be obliged to wait
at home until her fears should be set at rest.

She stood for a while looking anxiously from
the window after Mrs. Maine had gone, and
then busied herself about the house, mending
the fire, putting the kettle on for tea, and