HELENA. 113

sleepy eyes, watching the maid tending the baby, “I didn’t
know babies were so much trouble.” Then she cuddled down
and was almost asleep, when the baby cried again. This went
on the entire night, and by morning Helena was quite ready
to have the baby taken away.

Her ardor was somewhat dampened by this experience, but
the loving little heart could not know of want without a desire
to lessen it. And one day, when she was playing out under the
trees in the front garden, she saw a little girl peeping through
the palings; her bare feet and scraggy hair showed that she was
not one of the fortunate ones. She eyed eagerly Helena’s feast,
which was spread out upon a bench, and before which Helena
and her dolls were sitting. Helena nodded brightly toward
the little spectator, and then ran to the gate; opening it, she
called, “ Little girl!’ The child stood still, and Helena called
again. This time the little girl slowly approached. “Come
- in,” said Helena, holding open the gate. The child shyly
entered. “Come,” said Helena, “and help us have a party.”
The little girl looked wonderingly at her, but allowed her-
self to be taken by the hand and led to the spot where the
dolls were assembled.

Helena hovered around her visitor, who was overcome
with amazement and delight. “How many dolls you’ve got!”
she said. “TI ain’t got none.”

“You haven’t!” exclaimed Helena. “Why, how do you
manage to get along? I could never have a good time at all

H