Two children, a boy and a girl, the one about six, and the other a little over ten years of age, were seated listlessly on the floor, which was uncarpeted.

They seemed to have no heart to play.

Even the elasticity of childhood had departed from them.

From the appearance of Thorne, it was plain that he was very sick; and from all the indications the room in which he lay, afforded, it was plain that want and suffering were its inmates.

The habit of idleness he had suffered to creep at a slow but steady pace upon him.