ds
and ends of stuff are sent to the Beehive from all parts of the country
by sympathising friends. These are heaped together in one corner of the
room where the poor old things work. Down before this mass of stuff are
set certain of the company who have large constructive powers. These
skilfully contrive, cut out, alter, and piece together all kinds of
clothing, including the house slippers and Glengarry caps worn by the
little rescued boys. Even handkerchiefs and babies' long frocks are
conjured out of a petticoat or muslin lining! The work, thus selected
and arranged, is put into the hands of those who, though not skilful in
originating, have the plodding patience to carry out the designs of the
more ingenious, and so garments are produced to cover the shivering
limbs of any destitute child that may enter the Refuge as well as to
complete the outfits of the little emigrants."

"Well, Brisbane, I freely confess," said Sir Richard, "that you have
roused a degree of interest in poor old women which I never felt before,
and it does seem to me that we might do a good deal more for them with
our mere superfluities and cast-off clothing. Do the old women receive
any food on these working nights besides the pence they earn?"

"No, I am sorry to say they do not--at least not usually. You see it
takes a hundred or more sixpences every Monday merely to keep that
sewing-class going, and more than once there has been a talk of closing
it for want of funds, but the poor creatures have pleaded so pitifully
that they might still be allowed to attend, even though they should work
at _half-price_, that it has been hitherto continued. You see it is a
matter of no small moment for those women merely to spend three hours in
a room with a good fire, besides which they delight in the hymns and
prayers and the loving counsel and comfort they receive. It enables
them to go out into the cold, even though hungry, with more heart and
trust in God as they limp slowly back again to their fireless grates and
bare cupboards.

"The day on which I visited the place I could not bear the thought of
this, so I gave a sovereign to let them have a good meal. This
sufficed. Large kettles are always kept in readiness for such
occasions. These were put on immediately by the matron. The elder
girls in training on the floor above set to work to cut thick slices of
bread and butter, the tea urns were soon brought down, and in twenty
minutes I ha