"But I've tried a great many times to get work," answered the poor woman, shaking her head. "They always told me there was none."
Mrs. Miles gave her head a little toss, as much as to say, "No one need tell me that story." Then she laughed as she exclaimed,—
"Well, if I can't get work for you, I'll bring you mine. You need it more than I do. Now don't cry,—it will hurt your eyes; but say your prayers and go to bed. I'll be sure to come again soon."
When she shut the door, Mrs. Talbot began to cry; but these were happy tears, which brought relief to her overburdened heart. Then she said to Johnny,—
"Let us kneel down and thank God for sending us such a friend."
"O mother!" exclaimed the boy, when they arose from prayer; "wasn't that bread and butter nice? I never tasted anything so good."
"Yes, dear; and when your father was alive we had bread and butter every day."
The next morning, when the little boy went to his work, he looked all about for his kind friend; but he did not see her until he had been dismissed for dinner. He was passing along the sidewalk, when he heard a tap on the window of a house close by, and, looking up, he saw Mrs. Miles beckoning to him. She had a bundle rolled up in a towel, which she told him to give his mother, and tell her she would have company in the evening.
And true enough, just as Ella was safely in bed, there was a knock at the humble door, and Mrs. Miles walked in, followed by her husband.