"Yes, little sister, He does."
And putting up her hand, Corrie felt that Robin's eyes were wet.
At that moment their mother returned, and stories were over for to-night.
"Such nice cake!" whispered Corrie as she was being undressed.
"Did you bring it home for her, Robin?" asked Mrs. Campbell.
"Yes," answered her son; "they gave it to me up at the house."
The answer was scarcely heeded, for with a preoccupied air, the poor woman kissed her little girl as she covered her over in bed, and then sat down at the table to count her earnings, and consider what she could afford to buy the following day.
[CHAPTER VII]
THE BROKEN VASE
TO free himself from the accusations of conscience, Robin determined to keep out of cook's way for a few days. But resolutions made in human strength are but as grass: "The sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth."