her sons nor reminded them of what they
had done; but rather seemed to offer a strange kind of apology for
troubling them, and to give a reason for doing so that was stranger
still.

THE LETTER.

"Son Daniel and Son Augustus,--This comes from your poor unfortunate
mother that has never troubled you these many, many years, and hoping
you and your families are better than I am at present, son Daniel and
you son Augustus; and my desire is both of you, that now you will not
deny your poor mother to come and see her, but will, on receipt of this,
come as soon as may be, for it's about my funeral that I want to speak,
and my time is very short, and I was never used to much writing.

"If you don't come, in particular you, son Daniel, you will break your
poor mother's heart.

"And so no more at present from her that never said an unkind word to
you.

"Elizabeth Melcombe."

This letter was addressed to the elder son, went through the village
post-office, and when its direction was seen, such interest was excited
and so much curiosity, that half the women in the hamlet had been
allowed to take a look at its cover before it was sent away.

Perhaps Madam Melcombe herself, when she sat expecting these long-lost
sons to appear, was scarcely more agitated or more excited than were the
people in that sequestered place. A good many cottagers were hanging
about or looking out of the windows when they alighted, and going into
the small inn called for spirits and water. It was known outside at once
what they had asked for. No wonder they wanted some Dutch courage to
take them into her presence, was the general thought.

Several little boys had gathered in front of the door longing, and yet
dreading, to get a sight of them. Some inhabitants would have liked to
hiss, but lacked unanimity or courage, nobody wanted to begin. Some
would have liked to speak, but had not considered beforehand what to
say.

The brothers came out, the children fell back; but one little fellow, a
child five years old, with a sort of holy necessity upon him (as was
supposed) to give his testimony, threw a very little bit of soft dirt at
the legs of one of them.

This action was not noticed; and before the other little urchins had
found time for aught more fruitful than regret that they had not done
likewise, the gentlemen got into their post-chaise, and were driven to
the old mansion.

And their mother?

She was quite alone, sitting in all sta