Page:Live and Let Live.djvu/133

 a year, as her kindness was inexhaustible, having no measure but the never-ending wants of her fellow-creatures.

Lovett's business made it necessary for him to be in his bakehouse before light, and Charles, at the peep of dawn, was off in the bread-cart. The morning was yet dim when Lovett came in from his bakehouse, and found his wife kindling the kitchen fire. "Mother!" he exclaimed, "why don't you call up your boys to do that?"

"Oh, I like to do it now and then myself." "Yes; but your now and then is about every morning—it's the boys' business."

"They went out skating last evening, you know, and it's their nature to love to sleep in the morning."

"Have a care, mother; boys natures must not be humoured too much. Where is Lucy? Why is not she helping you?"

"Oh, you know she had Jemmie here to spend the day yesterday, and she and Charlie drew him home in the evening, and she went to bed late and tired. Besides, poor thing, she has got a pain in her breast working so hard next door—down late and up early, and it will take a good deal of resting to bring her quite right again."

"Well, she has reason to bless her stars she has got into hands that give rest to everything but themselves. What upon earth is that noise? A cock crowing up stairs!"

Mrs. Lovett laughed. "It's only Sammy's bantam! He begged me to let him take him up stairs to wake the boys up this morning; I thought I would indulge him just once."