gure in the bed claimed most of her
attention.

Charlie was really of the same age as herself, but he was so thin and
worn and helpless, he looked much younger, and his pale little face
wore something of the appealing look of a baby.

A great, great pity for him swelled up in Jessie's heart, and drove
out most of her shyness. "I am _so_ sorry you are ill," she said
sympathetically. "Are you always like it?"

"Yes," said Charlie, looking at her with very shy, but very great
interest. "I have been for a long time. I think it is seven years
now. I fell backwards off a 'bus and hurt my back."

"Oh, what a dreadful thing!" exclaimed Jessie. "Couldn't a doctor
cure you?"

"No. I was in hospital for nearly a year, but mother wanted me; she
didn't like my being there, and when they said they couldn't make me
well, mother said she would have me come home with her. She wanted
me."

"Were you glad?"

"Yes. I was very glad. I wanted mother."

A short pause following, Jessie thought she had better introduce
herself. "I am Jessie Lang," she said; "and--and I am come to live
here, father says I must. I s'pose for always--to help your mother
with the lodgers."

"Are you? How nice! I am so glad," cried Charlie; "then you'll be
able to come and talk to me sometimes."

"I am not glad," said Jessie, with a quaver in her voice; "but I
should like to come and talk to you as often as I can."
Then presently she added, in a conflicting tone, "I don't know what
to call your mother. I don't like to say 'Mrs. Lang,' it seems so--
so silly and--stuck-up, and I don't like to call her 'mother,'
because, you see, she isn't mine at all, really."

"I should," said Charlie decidedly. "I have to call your father
'father,' though I hate to. I don't like him. I hate him--he's--
he's unkind to mother!" and the pale face flushed and the sad eyes
filled with the strength of other feeling.

"Oh!" exclaimed Jessie, "you ought not to speak like that, I am sure.
Why do you ha--why don't you like him?"

"'Cause he's so unkind to mother. He is unkind to me, too, but I
don't mind that, I don't see him often; but he's always going on at
mother, he makes her miserable, and he--he hits her!" staring at
Jessie with wide, horrified eyes. "We were so happy and comfortable
before he came, but now everything seems all wrong, and mother is
always unhappy, and--and I--I can't bear it."

"Don't cry," said Jessie soothingly. "Did you liv