r and over again.

The next day was Sabbath. Susy begged Mr. Linley to come and see the
little sick girl at her house. And one way and another, the story of the
Christmas feast came out.

For Jennie, the little beggar girl, was very sick. Cold and hunger had
done their worst. It had been so hard and dreary since her mother died,
with no one to care for her, and to have to dodge around continually,
kicked and cuffed and almost starved. And if the Lord up above _did_
care--

"She's a pretty sick little girl," said Susy, "but Granny and I will do
our best to pull her through."

Mr. Linley felt the pulse and shook his head. The fever was high and
there was no strength to battle with it.

And then he looked into Susy's great, wistful eyes, and was touched to
the heart. The child had learned the sweetest and noblest lesson of all.
She had gone out into the highway and hedges, she had gathered in the
lame and the halt and the blind.

"You see I've grown fond of her, a'ready," explained Susy. "I'd do
anything for her."

"I'm afraid it's too late. I will send in a doctor, and some delicacies
from the house."

"If you please, I'd rather not have you do the last. You see Granny
spoke a little cross at first, and now she's trying to make it all up to
her. She'll feel better if she does everything; and she's a good heart,
has Granny."

What a point of conscience here amid poverty and ignorance!

"The lessons have not all been on my side," said Mr. Linley to his wife
afterward. "The poor little factory girl has taught me something that I
shall never forget. To think of her going without her coat that she
might provide a dinner for some homeless, hungry children. I wish you
would go and see them, my dear." Mrs. Linley went with her husband.

[Illustration: _"O Mother! Mother!"_]

Susy stared as if she had seen an angel. Granny dropped a curtesy, and
dusted a chair with her apron.

"Little Jennie," Susy whispered, "poor little girl, can't you open your
eyes a minute?"

She opened them--wider--wider. Then she rose a little and stared
around--stretched out her trembling hands toward Mrs. Linley, and
cried:--

"O mother! mother! Susy said I should find you. I tried to be good, not
to lie or steal, though I was nearly starved. And Susy's been so--kind.
She brought me in--to the Christmas--dinner--"

Mrs. Linley caught the swaying form in her arms. The last words quivered
slowly on her lips and her eyes drooped. She re