134 THE GLASS CASE. 



man must take something warm as an antidote against taking 

 cold." 



During the process of compounding the elements, and before 

 the starting of another subject, we pointed to the glass-case. 

 " No doubt, Sir, an entomologist?" A shake of the head 

 overset at once our previous conclusion. " Beg pardon, Sir, 

 I thought from that, that like myself you were fond of 

 studying the habits of Insects : but most likely you have some 

 little friend perhaps some favourite grandchild, for whose 



amusement," " No," said the old gentleman, " no I have 



no one I am a solitary old man. But indeed, Sir," he 

 added with a melancholy smile, " you are not the first who has 

 wondered at my foolish fancy for keeping those little creatures. 

 Some, I dare say, have set it down as the amusement of my 

 second childhood; and, God help me ! perhaps they are not 

 far wrong." 



We were sorry to have touched upon what was at all events 

 a tender theme in return for the good man's kindness : and 

 though our curiosity concerning the petted Lady-birds was 

 whetted rather than allayed, we took care to say nothing more 

 about them, and, fearing to commit a double error, forbore all 

 notice of the portraits. After an hour's sitting, our well-dried 

 coat was resumed and we rose to depart. 



Our first visit to Providence Cottage led to many more, in 

 the course of which the old gentleman opened to us much of 

 his heart and history. He related to us, by snatches, a common 

 tale. He told us of losses in trade loss of health loss of an 

 affectionate devoted wife, one who for love of him had left a 

 higher station, and never by look, word, or deed reminded him 

 of the sacrifice. But chiefly did he speak of one beloved 

 child who, when wealth and health and wife were gone, stood 



him for awhile instead of all. Of this child only, and only 



of her as connected with the caged Lady-birds, shall we repeat 

 a part of his relation. In her seventh year she, his little 

 Rachel, was seized by severe illness, through which her 



