e said _me_ where it
should have been I, then, as they do still. "I rather think it is me;
don't you?"

"Yes, but you are not she that spake to us on the road," said Cissy.
"Somebody told us to call here as we went down the lane, and her
daughter should go home with us, and help us to carry the big jar.
Perhaps you're the daughter?"

"Well, I guess I am," answered Rose. "Where's home?"

"It's at the further end of Thorpe."

"All right. Come in and rest you, and I'll fetch a sup of something to
do you good, poor little white faces."

Rose took a hand of each and led them forward.

"Mother, here be two bits of Maypoles," said she, "for they be scarce
fatter; and two handfuls of snow, for they be scarce rosier--that say
you promised them that I should go home with them and bear their jar of
meal."

"So I did, Rose. Bring them in, and let them warm themselves," answered
Mrs Mount. "Give them a sup of broth or what we have, to put a bit of
life in them; and at after thou shalt bear them company to Thorpe. Poor
little souls! they have no mother, and they say God looks after them
only."

"Then I shall be in His company too," said Rose softly. Then, dropping
her voice that the children might not hear, she added, "Mother, there's
only that drop of broth you set aside for breakfast; and it's scarce
enough for you and father both. Must I give them that?"

Alice Mount thought a moment. She had spoken before almost without
thinking.

"Daughter," she said, "if their Father, which is also ours, had come
with them visible to our eyes, we should bring forth our best for Him;
and He will look for us to do it for the little ones whose angels see
His Face. Ay, fetch the broth, Rose."

Perhaps Cissy had overheard a few words, for wheel the bowl of broth was
put into her hands, she said, "Can you spare it? Didn't you want it for
something else than us?"

"We can spare it, little maid," said Alice, with a smile.

"Sup it up," added Rose, laying her hand on the child's shoulder; "and
much good may it do thee! Then, when you are both warmed and rested,
I'll set forth with you."

Cissy did not allow that to be long. She drank her broth, admonished
Will by a look to finish his--for he was disposed to loiter,--and after
sitting still for a few minutes, rose and put down the bowl.

"We return you many thanks," she said in her prim little way, "and I
think, if you please, we ought to go home. Father 'll be back by t