At the end of that time, the husband took up his hat and went out.

For a long, long time after, Ellen sat in dreamy, sad abstraction, holding her babe to her breast.

From this state, a sense of duty roused her, and laying her infant on the bed,--for they had not yet been able to spare money for a cradle,--she began to busy herself in her domestic duties.

This brought some little relief.
About eleven o'clock Jane came in with her usual cheerful, almost happy face, bringing in her hand a stout bundle.

Her countenance changed in its expression to one of concern, the moment her eyes rested upon her sister's face, and she laid her bundle on a chair quickly, as if she half desired to keep it out of Ellen's sight.
"What is the matter, Ellen ?" she asked, with tender concern, the moment she had closed the door.
Ellen could not reply; her heart was too full.