Mrs. Harwood wished to give Mrs. Humphrey some account of the
circumstances which caused her to be travelling alone with her child,
but the worthy and considerate lady would not allow her to further
fatigue herself by talking that night, and insisted upon her retiring at
once to rest.
"To-morrow," said she, "I shall be happy to listen to any thing you may
wish to communicate."
Mrs. Humphrey conducted the woman and her child up stairs to a neat
bed-room where, after making every arrangement necessary to their
comfort, she bade them a kind good night, and left them to enjoy the
rest which they so much needed.
CHAPTER II.
When Mrs. Humphrey rejoined her husband in the sitting-room, their
conversation very naturally turned to the stranger who was resting
beneath their roof. They evidently felt deeply interested by her
delicate and lady-like appearance.
"I am sure of one thing," said Mrs. Humphrey, "that this woman has seen
better days, notwithstanding the poverty which her present appearance
indicates."
"And I am convinced of another thing," replied Mr. Humphrey, "that no
fault of her's has reduced her to her present circumstances, for her
countenance shews her to be a worthy and true-souled woman; and she
shall freely remain beneath my roof until it shall be her wish to leave
it.
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