When I am there he will sit for hours on my knee, and lay his head on my shoulder, and stroke my face.

It makes me feel as if my heart would break." "Well, my dear," Miss Virtue said, somewhat puzzled, "it is sad, if it is as you say, but that does not excuse your being disrespectful to your mother.

It is not for you to judge her." "But cannot something be done for Robert, Miss Virtue?
Surely they must do something for children like him." "There are people, my dear, who take a few afflicted children and give them special training.

Children of that kind have sometimes shown a great deal of unusual talent, and, if so, it is cultivated, and they are put in a way of earning a livelihood." "Are there ?" Isobel exclaimed, with eager eyes.

"Then I know what I will do, Miss Virtue; I will write off at once to Uncle Tom--he is our guardian.