e; and whilst I am
collecting the money, pray step down stairs, and tell Betty to bring up
the little innocents--we shall all be glad to see them."

Charles flew out of the room, and in less than a minute returned with the
mother, carrying a babe in each arm. She was a very decent woman, the widow
of a soldier, who died before his poor children were born; she now
endeavoured to maintain herself and them by taking in washing, together
with the pay of the parish, which, although small, she received very
thankfully, and managed very carefully.

"Look, mamma! what pretty little feet they have," cried Ellen; "I am sure
Charles was a good boy to think about shoes for them--was it not very kind
of him, Matilda? because you know little boys seldom love little babies so
much as girls do."

Matilda answered "yes," mechanically, for her mind was abstracted, and
affected by the remembrance this scene was calculated to inspire. Mrs.
Harewood, feeling for her evident embarrassment, sent the poor woman down
stairs to take some refreshment, and then laid a three-shilling piece, as
her own share of the contribution, besides Charles's subscription on the
table.

Edmund laid a shilling on the table, saying--"If more is wanted, I will
give you another with great pleasure: I hope, mamma, you _know_ that I
will?"

"Yes, Edmund, I _do_ know that you will do any thing in your power, for you
are regular and prudent, as well as a kind-hearted boy, and therefore have
always got something to spare for the wants of others; I perceive, too,
that you have the good sense to examine the nature of the claim made upon
you, and that you give accordingly; _you_ are aware, and I wish all the
young ones to be so likewise, that this, although an act of charity, is not
called for by any immediate distress; it is not one of those cases which
wring the heart and drain the purse, for the poor woman is neither
unprovided with lodgings nor food, and we ought always to keep something
for the sake of sufferers of that description: I wish you, children, to be
free and liberal, for we are told in the scriptures that 'God loveth a
cheerful giver;' but, in order to render you also frequent givers, you must
be prudent ones."

"I have only one shilling in the world," said Ellen, laying it on the
table.

"Then sixpence is as much as you ought to give," said Mrs. Harewood,
giving her a sixpence in change, when, observing that she took it with an
air of reluctance, s