Then he stopped short with surprise, hardly knowing the children in their strange attire; but being too dignified to laugh aloud, added, with a grim smile,-- "The woman that brought Miss Fly home the other day is down in the dining-room, and says,'Can she see one of the family ?'" "A little girl with her, Nat ?" "Yes, sir; the blind girl is with her." "And the freckled doggie!" asked "the long baby," suddenly raising her head from her father's shoulder.

"I meant to told 'em to bringed that doggie." "Let's all go down and see," said Mother Hubbard.
When they entered the dining-room, Mrs.Brooks started up in dismay.
She had left her sick husband, and come a long distance through the storm, only to find Mrs.Allen gone, and a parcel of children decked out like circus-riders.

It seemed like a cruel mockery.
"Beg pardon," said she.

"Maria, we'll go home now." Maria was sitting near her mother, trying to force back the tears which would find their way through her closed eyes.
"You poor dear girl," said Mother Hubbard, going up to her, and taking her hand.

"My auntie was so sorry to go off to-day, just when you were coming! but she had to, for Uncle Augustus is sick.