Page:Between Two Loves.djvu/109

104 "Thou hes wished me ill iver since thy brother married me, Sarah Benson. Now, then, I hev sent for thee to see what thy ill wishes hev brought me to."

Sarah's heart was too full of pity to be angry at the unreasonable woman. She lifted the weeping child, and said, "Nay, then, Joyce, I am thy true friend. What can I do for thee?"

"Get Lotta some bread and milk, t' little lass is fair starving. I'm well used to clemming lately, and I can bear it better."

Sarah had but a few shillings in her pocket, but she spent them freely, and she did not go away until she had made a good fire, and seen mother and child sleeping, after a full meal. During it, Joyce's complaints revealed, without extenuation, the dangerous condition into which her brother had fallen. In this confidence all foolish pride vanished, and the two women, completely reconciled, consulted heartily as to the best way of bringing Steve back to steady work and steady habits. Steady work was the first step, and Sarah determined to go to Jonathan Burley and ask it for him.

It was a painful step for Sarah to take, and in the morning it appeared twice as difficult, for