I know not even now that I am right to come hither at all." In great fear and anxiety the mother cast a loose wrapper about her, and descended quickly to the little storeroom close against the shop, where there was a tiny window which opened direct upon the street.

At this window, but a few paces away, she found her daughter awaiting her, and by the light of the rush candle that she carried she saw that the girl's face was deadly white.
"Child, child, what ails thee?
Come in and tell me all.

Thou must not stand out there.

I will open the door and fetch thee in." "No, mother, no--not till thou hast heard my tale," pleaded Janet; "for the sake of the rest thou must be cautious.

Mother, I have been with one who died of the plague at noon today!" "Mercy on us, child! How came that about ?" "It was my fellow servant and bed fellow," answered Janet.