Gibbie never came.

She made herself some porridge at last.

Everything necessary was upon the table, and as she poured it into the wooden dish for the purpose, she took notice of a slate beside it, with something written upon it.

The words were, "I will cum back as soon as I cann." She was alone, then! It was dreadful; but she was too hungry to think about it.

She ate her porridge, and then began to cry.