Any one but a child like thee," continued she, turning to Ruth, "would have known better than to bring ill-luck on thy babby by letting tears fall on its face before it was weaned.

But thou'rt not fit to have a babby, and so I've said many a time.

I've a great mind to buy thee a doll, and take thy babby mysel'." Sally did not look at Ruth, for she was too much engaged in amusing the baby with the tassel of the string to the window-blind, or else she would have seen the dignity which the mother's soul put into Ruth at that moment.

Sally was quelled into silence by the gentle composure, the self-command over her passionate sorrow, which gave to Ruth an unconscious grandeur of demeanour as she came up to the old servant.
"Give him back to me, please.

I did not know it brought ill-luck, or if my heart broke I would not have let a tear drop on his face--I never will again.