56 



Each had been afraid of disappointing his bro- 

 ther by the proposal, but they agreed to it with 

 equal good-will, and set about their new occu- 

 pation so earnestly, that in a quarter of an hour 

 the garden ass-cart was loaded with straw and 

 stakes, and the necessary tools. Before they 

 went away, they applied to my aunt's house- 

 keeper for bread and medicine ; and she very 

 good naturedly went herself to see what state the 

 woman was in, and what could be done for her. 

 She afterwards told my aunt that it was " a beau- 

 tiful sight to see the kindness of the young gen- 

 tlemen, just as careful, ma^arn, not to disturb the 

 sick beggar woman as if she was a lady, and they 

 so happy, ma'am, and never seeming to cast a 

 thought about their ride." While they were at 

 work, the housekeeper learned the history of the 

 unfortunate creature ; she thinks her dangerously 

 ill, and has therefore procured a careful old wo- 

 man to take care of her. 



My cousins not being very expert in driving 

 stakes into the ground, or in fastening on thatch, 

 it was nearly dark when they reached home. We 

 had long returned from our walk, and had been 

 listening to the history the housekeeper gave. My 

 aunt and uncle were very much pleased at hear- 

 ing of the benevolence and the decision with 

 which Wentworth and Frederick had acted ; and 

 they determined not to interfere with them till 

 their task was completed. 



