44 A YEAR WITH NELLIE.

parently Harry, whose limbs hung down in a
strangely helpless way. Her mother was by
his side, her eyes fixed on the burden he carried.
Then came three gentlemen, of whom one was
evidently Mr. Cooper, to whom Croft Wood and
Farm belonged. And after them followed a
village lad or two,—a strange procession to see
in Milbury.

Nellie’s work fell on the floor, and all the
colour rushed from her face, leaving it ashy
pale. Something terrible had happened then!
She trembled all over, and could hardly walk
to open the front door.

Mr. Maine entered first and carried his little
son straight upstairs, his wife hurrying close
after. Then seeing Nellie take a step as if to fol-
low,she checked her. “No,stay down here,child,”
she said in a voice that did not sound like hers.

The three gentlemen turned into the little
sitting-room, Nellie cowering into a dark corner,
watching and listening to what they said. The
lads of the village lingered about outside the
house, peering curiously in at the open door.

“Better just wait and hear Rayner’s opinion,”
said Mr. Cooper, walking up and down the room.
“He'll be here directly. I’m afraid, though,