POOR LITTLE HARRY. 43

but herself that she could have prevented the
accident had she chosen.

The minutes went so slowly as she sat there
waiting. The very pendulum of the clock
seemed to move. lazily from side to side as
though on the point of stopping altogether.

It was not often that Nellie Maine had much
time to think. When not out with Harry she
was generally busy, and was very seldom alone,
except in going to bed, when she was usually
too sleepy for anything except to say her prayers
and get undressed as quickly as possible. A
little solitude with no sound to interrupt the
workings of her mind but the purring of the
cat by ‘the fire made her feel very far from
satisfied with herself.

Another look up the road. No one in sight
yet. If they would only come she would tell
mother everything, she thought—how she had
taken Harry into the woods again and again,
and how in many many ways she had accepted
praise she did not deserve.

She turned to the window once more. This
time there were a number of figures in sight.
As they came nearer she could distinguish her
father carrying something in his arms—ap-