50 A YEAR WITH NELLIE.

him very uneasy. She had never been strong,
and had lately suffered from too hard work, as
she had given up keeping the young village
girl who used to come and do the roughest
duties of the house.

And now this sudden fright had made her
helpless just when she was most needed. What
should he do? he asked himself; and though
he did not think of that, he was feeling all the
more cast down through want of food, as it
was long past the hour at which he usually
had his hearty tea.

While he was watching and thinking the
door creaked again,and Nellie entered, carrying
a tray on which was a‘steaming hot cup of tea, a
plate with some bread and meat and a knife and
fork. Her father’s eyes opened wide with sur-
prise. Hehad always thought Nelliesuchachild.

“You haven’t had any tea, father,” she whis-
pered, placing her tray on'a chair by his side.

He patted her cheek only, and said nothing
for a minute; then he asked—

“Have you been to mother?”

“Yes. She is asleep.”

“Go down-stairs then and have some tea and
bread and butter yourself,” he told her.