“‘Brother, we have been very wicked in going away from home. I am afraid we never shall see our dear papa and mamma any more.’
“Then they put their arms around each other’s neck, and cried.
“Just then the woman of the house came in, and again asked them the name and the number of the street in which they lived. This Harry remembered, and told her.
“She said,
“‘Well, don’t take on so. I am busy fixing my Ned off to sea now; but to-night I will take you to the place where your father and mother live.’
“The children thought it would be a very long time before night would come. Ann crept into the bed with Harry; and they nestled up to each other, and fell fast asleep.
“While they slept, a sound was heard without: ‘Lost children! Lost children!’ This was called out by a man who, at the same time, rang a bell which he held in his hand.
“When he got near the sailor, he was told that the children were safe in the house. He stopped ringing his bell, and went, in great haste, to tell the parents of the children that they were found. Soon the father came, in a carriage, to take his little runaways home. The children awaked from their sleep in that miserable room to see their dear father’s loving face bending over them, and to feel his warm kisses on their lips and cheeks.
“It was dark when they got home. As they were taken from the carriage, they saw each window in the brightly lighted parlor filled with faces on the look-out for them. And, O, what joy, when they found themselves again in their cheerful, happy home; in their precious mother’s arms!
“It was time for Willy and Charlie to have their supper, and for their little baby-sister to be put to bed; but nobody thought of them. Every one was thinking of the little ones who had been lost, but were now found. Parents and servants rejoiced together over the little stray lambs. They had been in danger, but were now safe. They had wandered from their father’s house; and he had sent a messenger to find them. They had been naughty; but their father forgave them, and rejoiced over them.”