running down
her back, and causing her fingers to shake when she handled her cups
and saucers.

"Dear, dear," she said to herself, "one would think I had some of
those awful telegrams in me which Miss Primrose said was the nervous
system. Why, I'm all upset from top to toe. I never had a good view of
him before, for I didn't pay no heed to nobody when my dear little
Miss Daisy was so ill; but I do say that the cut of the hand and the
turn of the head is as like--as like as two peas. Now I do wonder--no,
no, it can't be. Well, anyhow, my name ain't Hannah Martin if I don't
find out where he comes from, and who he really is. Well, well,
well--why this trembling won't leave me, and I don't dare go back into
the room. I suppose I have got a few telegraphs, and I mustn't never
laugh at poor little Miss Daisy again when she says she's nervous."

Hannah sat and rested for about half an hour--then she drank off a
glass of cold water--then she washed her face and hands--then she said
aloud that the telegrams should not get the better of her, and then
she prepared as nice a little dinner as she could for Noel and the two
sisters.

That evening, after Daisy was in bed, she came into the room where
Primrose was quietly reading.

"You haven't never come across no one the least like that brother of
yours in the London streets, Miss Primrose?" she asked. "London's a
big place, and strange things happen there--yes, very, very strange
things."

"Oh, Hannah, how you startle me!" said Primrose. "I come across my
poor little brother Arthur? How could I? Why, he must be dead for many
and many a year."

"Not a bit of him," said Hannah; "I don't believe he's dead. He was a
fine, hearty, strong child, and nothing ever seemed to ail him. Oh, it
rises up before me now what a beautiful picture he made when he stood
in his little red velvet dress by your mamma's knee, and she so proud
of him! There's no mistake, but he was the very light of her eyes. She
took him up to London, and a nursemaid--not me, you may be quite
sure--took him out. She went into a big shop, and the child was by her
side. She kept him standing by her as she ordered some things across
the counter, and, I suppose, she turned her head for a minute, for
when she looked round again he was gone. From that day to this he was
never heard of, though everything you can think of was done. Oh, my
poor, poor mistress, what she did suffer!"

"Hannah, how excited you look!" said P