"What a great age, Charley!" I cannot describe the tenderness with which he spoke to her, half playfully yet all the more compassionately and mournfully.
"And do you live alone here with these babies, Charley ?" said my guardian.
"Yes, sir," returned the child, looking up into his face with perfect confidence, "since father died." "And how do you live, Charley?
Oh! Charley," said my guardian, turning his face away for a moment, "how do you live ?" "Since father died, sir, I've gone out to work.

I'm out washing to-day." "God help you, Charley!" said my guardian.

"You're not tall enough to reach the tub!" "In pattens I am, sir," she said quickly.

"I've got a high pair as belonged to mother." "And when did mother die?
Poor mother!" "Mother died just after Emma was born," said the child, glancing at the face upon her bosom.

"Then father said I was to be as good a mother to her as I could.