or, The Silver Skates 279

O jufvrouw, if God sees you! Oh, I know father will get
better now!” and the little creature, even while reaching to
look through the tiny window, kissed Hilda’s hand again and
again.

The sash was sadly
patched and broken; a
torn piece of paper hung
half way down across it.
Gretel’s face was pressed
to the window.

“Can you see any-
thing?” whispered Hilda
at last.

“Yes; the father lies
very still, his head is ban-
daged, and all their eyes
are fastened upon him.
O jufvrouww !” almost
screamed Gretel, as she
started back, and, by a

 

quick, dexterous move- - ce
ment, shook off her heavy Bie em er cauie ates
wooden shoes, “I must go
into my mother. Will you come with me?”

“© Not now, the bell is ringing. I shall come again soon.
Good-by.”

Gretel scarce heard the words. She remembered, for many
a day afterward, the bright, pitying smile on Hilda’s face as
she turned away.