The state of this poor thing, clothed in a miserable garment of coarse woolen stuff, seemed to impress them painfully.
Harry, more than all the rest, seemed attracted by the very peculiarity of this poor stranger.

He drew near, took Nell's hand from his mother, and looked directly at her, while something like a smile curved her lip.

"Nell," he said, "Nell, away down there--in the mine--were you all alone ?" "Alone! alone!" cried the girl, raising herself hastily.

Her features expressed terror; her eyes, which had appeared to soften as Harry looked at her, became quite wild again.

"Alone!" repeated she, "alone!"-- and she fell back on the bed, as though deprived of all strength.
"The poor bairn is too weak to speak to us," said Madge, when she had adjusted the pillows.