Could he have seen the forlorn expression that settled on her
countenance when, on regaining the street, she took her little boy by
the hand and again walked slowly onward--his heart must indeed have been
hard if he had not repented of his unkindness.
After walking a short distance further, the woman paused before a house
of much humbler appearance than the former one, and, encouraged by the
motherly appearance of an elderly lady who sat knitting at her open door
in the lingering twilight, she drew nigh to her, and asked if she would
shelter herself and child for the night.
The old lady regarded her earnestly for a moment; she seemed, however,
to be impressed favorably by her appearance, for her voice was very
pleasant, as she replied to her request,--
"Certainly you can remain for the night, for I have never yet denied so
small a favor (as a shelter for the night) to any one who sought it.
Come in at once, and I will endeavor to make you and your little boy
comfortable, for you look very much fatigued."
The woman gladly followed the kind old lady into the house, and seated
herself in the comfortable rocking chair which she had kindly placed for
her; she also placed a seat for the child, but he refused to leave his
mother's side, and stood leaning upon the arm of her chair.
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