178 THE SOUTH BAT. 



when a small voice was heard at the door, and elec- 

 trified them both. It was not a sweet voice nor the 

 tone rich, in fact it might be called harsh and unre- 

 fined, but the sound was pleasanter to Harry's ears 

 than any he had heard in two weeks. The voice 

 belonged to the extra help of Mr. Goodlow's house- 

 hold. 



'* Please, sir, master said I mussent, but could we 

 have a little water from your well ? " 



Harry and his father gazed at each other and then 

 at the girl in wonder. 



"Please, sir," she continued, seeing their bewil- 

 dered air, and addressing herself to Harry in an in- 

 jured tone, " our well has run itself dry. Ever 

 since you built yours the water has been getting 

 lower, and last night it all went. Master says it's 

 on account of the elevation, but I say it's because 

 yours is further down hill." 



" Do you mean to say you have no water at all ? " 

 said Harry. 



" But I do, then, unless you call mud water ; we 

 managed to make tea last night by tying a new bit 

 on to the rope ; but wasn't it bitter and gritty, 

 though ? You ought to have tasted it ; but to-day 

 it's as thick as paste, and you know we cannot send 

 a water cart on Sunday." 



" How did you manage for washing ? " 



" That's how it comes we have no water for break- 

 fast. We had saved up a little that had settled 

 the worst down to the bottom, but we did not have 

 enough to wash, and Miss Katy, when she tried to 



