When he went this afternoon, it was too late." Hiram said this with a trembling voice, and lips that quivered.
"Thy will be done!" murmured the widow, lifting her eyes upward.

"If these tender ones are to be taken from their mother's fold, oh, do thou temper for them the piercing blast, and be their shelter amid the raging tempests." A tap at the door brought back the thoughts of Mrs.Mayberry.

A brief struggle with her feelings, enabled her to overcome them in time to receive a visitor with composure.

It was the merchant.
"Mr.Easy!" she said, in surprise.
"Mrs.Mayberry, how do you do ?" There was some restraint and embarrassment in his manner.

He was conscious of having neglected the widow of his friend, before he came.