"Yes; now tell us plainly how you are situated."
The woman was silent for a few moments, but at length she seemed to regain her self-control, and replied:—
"Ah, gentlemen, it is all comprised in three short words: Hunger, cold, and nakedness!"
"And if we will supply you with food and fuel for a week, can you manage to get along until that time without more clothing?"
"Oh—h—yes—sirs. But what is it? Who can help us? Who can care for the—"
"We can, we will," cried the energetic Sam, not so good to plan as Peter, but good at execution. "We six have pledged ourselves to see you safe through the winter. So cheer up and take hope, for neither you nor your children shall suffer while we can help it."
The widow's hands were clasped and her eyes wandered vacantly from one to the other of her strange visitors. She saw tears of goodness in their eyes, and her own soul's flood burst forth.
"O God bless you—bless you always."
"And we shall have something good to eat, mamma, and something to make us warm?" asked the eldest girl, clasping her mother's knees.
"Yes, yes, you shall," exclaimed Drake, catching the child and kissing her clean, pale face. "You shall have it before supper time, too."