'There have been suffering and heartache here.' 'Indeed there have, sir.' The little old gentleman glanced at the grandfather, and back again at the child, whose hand he took tenderly in his, and held.
'You will be happier here,' he said; 'we will try, at least, to make you so.

You have made great improvements here already.

Are they the work of your hands ?' 'Yes, sir.' 'We may make some others--not better in themselves, but with better means perhaps,' said the bachelor.

'Let us see now, let us see.' Nell accompanied him into the other little rooms, and over both the houses, in which he found various small comforts wanting, which he engaged to supply from a certain collection of odds and ends he had at home, and which must have been a very miscellaneous and extensive one, as it comprehended the most opposite articles imaginable.

They all came, however, and came without loss of time; for the little old gentleman, disappearing for some five or ten minutes, presently returned, laden with old shelves, rugs, blankets, and other household gear, and followed by a boy bearing a similar load.