She returned very soon, with a countenance entirely serene.
"I have been trying all day," said Mrs.Bell, "to think of something that I could do for you, to help you or to relieve you in some way or other; but I can not think of any thing at all that I can do." "Yes," said Mary Erskine, "there is one thing that you could do for me, that would be a very great kindness, a very great kindness indeed." "What is it ?" asked Mrs.Bell.
"I am afraid that you will think it is too much for me to ask." "No," said Mrs.Bell, "what is it ?" Mary Erskine hesitated a moment, and then said, "To let Mary Bell come and stay here with me, a few days." "Do you mean all night, too ?" asked Mrs.Bell.
"Yes," said Mary Erskine, "all the time." "Why, you have got two children to take care of now," replied Mrs.
Bell, "and nobody to help you.

I should have thought that you would have sooner asked me to take Bella home with me." "No," said Mary Erskine.

"I should like to have Mary Bell here, very much, for a few days." "Well," said Mrs.Bell, "she shall certainly come.

I will send her, to-morrow morning.".