and difficult. Nothing but vague reports had reached her. She had
hoped against hope till the time came when she could set her fears at
rest, or know the worst, by seeing them herself. Now, standing in the
bare room, in the midst of many marks of want and sickness, it grieved
her bitterly to feel how little she could do to help them.

"God help them!" she said aloud; and her voice awoke the sleeper before
her. For an instant the startled girl stood gazing at the stranger;
then, advancing timidly, she held out both hands, exclaiming:

"Aunt Janet!"

"Yes, it is Aunt Janet," said Mrs Blair, clasping her in her arms; "if
indeed this can be the little Lily I used to like so well to see at Glen
Elder. You are taller than my little lassie was," she added, bending
back the fair little face and kissing it fondly. "But this is my wee
Lily's face; I should know it anywhere."

"Oh, Aunt Janet," cried the child, bursting into tears; "I am so glad
you are come! We have needed you so much!"

Mrs Blair sat down on the bed, still holding the child in her arms.
Poor Lilias! Tears must have been long kept back, her aunt thought, for
she seemed to have no power to check her sobs, now that they had found
way. Half chiding, half soothing her with tender words, she held her
firmly till she grew calm again.

In a little while the weary child raised herself up, and said:

"Don't be vexed with me, Aunt Janet. I don't often cry like that; but I
am so glad you have come. We have needed you sorely; and I was sure you
would come, if you only knew."

Mrs Blair would not grieve her by telling her how little she could do
for them now that she had come; but she still held her in her arms, as
she bent down to kiss the little lad, who was gazing, half in wonder,
half in fear, at the sight of his sister's tears; and as she got a
better view of his thin pale face, she resolved that, if it were
possible, he at least should be removed from the close, unhealthy
atmosphere of his present home.

"You must be weary, aunt," said Lilias, at last, withdrawing herself
from her arms, and untying the strings of her bonnet, which had not yet
been removed. "Come and rest here in the armchair till mother comes
home. Oh, she will be so glad!"

Mrs Blair suffered herself to be led to the chair which had been her
mother's; and, as she rested in it, she watched with much interest the
movements of the little girl. In a few minutes there was a fire on