paratively
unpractised hands, and it was with a very weary body and mind that
she read her evening verse, and repeated her favourite hymn, "I lay my
sins on Jesus," as a sort of substitute for her usual Sunday school
lessons, and then lay down to think of the kind friends she had left,
and to wonder when she should see Miss Lucy, till she fell asleep to
dream that she was at the farm again, and churning butter that would
not come.

Bessie had written to Lucy, telling her of Nelly's departure, but had
forgotten to give her mistress's address, so that Lucy could not find
her out till she should go to see her at Mr. Brooke's; and for many
days this was impracticable. Day after day passed, filled with the
same unceasing routine of drudgery; and though her growing skill
enabled her to get through her work more quickly, this did not add to
her leisure, since, as her capabilities increased, her duties
increased also. Miss Williams, too, who objected to do anything for
herself when another could be got to do it, found Nelly very
convenient for all sorts of personal services.

Nelly went through it all without grumbling, though she often went to
bed quite tired out. But youth and health came to her aid, and she
would wake in the morning to go singing about her work. She had an
uncommonly sweet voice, and the boarders used often to remark to each
other that there was more music in her untaught snatches of song than
in all Miss Williams' attempts at the piano.

But, as weeks went on, the perpetual, unceasing strain began to wear
upon her, and her songs grew less and less frequent. Though she was
almost too busy to indulge in many longings for Ashleigh and its
pleasant fields, it was a little hard to know that the beautiful
budding spring was passing into summer, and that she could taste none
of the country pleasures she had so much enjoyed last year; that the
only sign by which she knew the advancement of the season was the
increasing heat, enervating her frame and undermining her
strength,--its effect in this respect being greatly heightened by the
close, heavy atmosphere in which she chiefly lived. Nature is stronger
than man, after all; and when the upper classes selfishly neglect the
comfort of their poorer brethren, they will find that inexorable
Nature will avenge the infringement of her laws, and will touch their
own interests in so doing.

"I can't think what has come over Nelly!" Mrs. Williams would say to
her daugh