one of the holes was so large that I actually did put my
hand through it. However, by dint of close application, I mended two
pairs of them before it was quite dark. I was then obliged to lay aside
my work, as Mrs. Davis said she should not yet light a candle, and I
need not do any more work till after tea. My having helped her at the
needlework put her into high good humour, and she asked me a great many
questions, and said she was glad that Mr. Freeman had engaged me, and
that, if I behaved myself properly, I should be very welcome to stay
with them till I was old enough to take care of myself. These kind
expressions, so different to any I had heard for a long time, cheered my
heart. I thanked her most sincerely, and promised to do all I could to
please her. I then helped her to prepare the tea. Soon after this Mr.
Davis and the children came in. We sat down to our tea, and during the
repast the eager questions of the children as to who I was, where I came
from, and what I was to do, were more attended to than they had been at
dinner-time. Their father gave them some account of me, and made me
relate all the particulars of my falling into the kennel with the pie.
They all laughed heartily, and now that I was out of danger, I could not
help laughing at it myself.

'That smashing of the pie is a good joke,' said Mr. Davis. 'I should
like to see how the Smiths looked when you did not go back, and when
they heard that you had laid their pie in the gutter. I warrant they
would wear out more pairs of shoes than they would sell in a week in
running after the old woman and the boys; but I can tell you, girl, it
was a lucky chance for you that you did tumble down, or else you would
still have been with them misericating in their dirty garret. By-the-by,
dame, where's the girl to sleep?'

'That question is sooner asked than answered,' replied his wife. 'You
know there is not a bit to spare in the house; the children cannot be
put out of their beds. There is no way that I can see but for her to
have a blanket and sleep among the hay in the loft over the stable. I
have slept so many a time when I was a girl, and was none the worse for
it.'

'I wish you could make room for her in the house,' answered her husband.
'I do not like the thought of turning her out of the house, as it were.
Could you not make her up a bed on the floor?'

'No, no,' replied his wife, 'I cannot. I can see no hardship in her
sleeping upon clean sweet ha