ause she
thought all old gentlemen must be grandfathers.

"I can't hear a word, my poor child; I am deaf. Oh dear! what
is it she wants? she must be lost," said the poor little old
gentleman.

"Yes, I am lost," said the child; "and mamma wants Susy. She
can't do without me. Papa, too. I'm his little mouse. I bring
him his slippers when he comes home, and I sing to him about
'Three little kittens, lost their mittens.' Come, grandpa,
take Susy home; ah, _do_;" and she looked up into his face
with a sweet, coaxing smile, and clasped his hand tighter
with her soft and pretty fingers.

"Oh, dear! oh, dear!" said the little old gentleman, "if I
only could hear! But I can't! I am deaf."

So they walked along quite a distance, through the green lane,
where the tender grass looked so dewy and fresh, and the first
spring violets were peeping up; but no one came in sight, and
the little old gentleman in his trouble, looked north, south,
east and west, for somebody to come that could hear what the
little one said.

All at once he thought, I will ask God to help me; and he said
aloud, in a voice trembling with age--"Oh, my Heavenly Father!
help me to find assistance for this tender little lamb."

When Susy heard him say that, her rosy lip began to tremble, and a
great tear came into each of her blue eyes. Poor little darling!
She knew something was wrong, but she did not understand why he
could not hear her. She could hear _him_, and she did not know
what it meant, to be deaf.

But now, as if in answer to the prayer, a carriage was seen
approaching; and the little old gentleman said--"Don't cry, my
little one; here, eat this candy, and don't cry. I will get
you home safely."

As the carriage came near, he saw that there were two ladies
inside, and he held up his hand and beckoned them to stop. One
of them was a kind-looking lady, with soft gray hair; and he
said to her--

"Madam, I am deaf. I cannot hear a single word. I was taking a
walk, when this little child came up and put her hand into
mine. I think she is lost; but I cannot hear what she says.
Will you take her with you, and restore her to her home?"

"Certainly, I will, poor little darling," said the kind lady;
and the door was opened, and Susy tenderly lifted in, and
placed on the lady's lap.

The little old gentleman kissed Susy, and thanked the ladies;
then taking off his hat, he made them a low bow, and then
they drove away.

"Can you tell me where y