Mary Barton

ut the k

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f not cheered, by the unburdening of her fears and thoughts to her friend; and her approving look went far to second her husband's invitation that the whole party should adjourn from Green Heys Fields

sleep till long past ten? and haven't you a shawl, under which you can tuck one lad's head, as safe as a bird's under i

another shawl," s

ng rather th

little paved court, having the backs of houses at the end opposite to the opening, and a gutter running through the middle to carry off household slops, washing suds, etc. The women who lived in the court were busy taking in strings of caps, frocks, and various articles of linen, which hung from side to side, dangling so lo

tween the Wilsons and these women, for not

e-door, exclaimed, as Mary Barton (the daughter) pas

o see how Mary took the idea. He saw her assume the air of

ntent. The room was tolerably large, and possessed many conveniences. On the right of the door, as you entered, was a longish window, with a broad ledge. On each side of this, hung blue-and-white check curtains, which were now drawn, to shut in the friends met to enjoy themselves. Two geraniums, unpruned and leafy, which stood on the sill, formed a further defence from out-door pryers. In the corner between the window and the fire-side was a cupboard, apparently full of plates and dishes, cups and saucers, and some more nondescript articles, for which one would have fancied their possessors could find no use--such as triangular pieces of glass to save carving knives and for

aterial. On it, resting against the wall, was a bright green japanned tea-tray, having a couple of scarlet lovers embracing in the middle. The fire-light danced merrily on this, and really (setting all taste but that of a child's aside) it gave a richness of colouring to that side of the room. It was in s

en came a long whispering, and chinking of money, to which Mr and Mrs Wilson were too polite to attend; knowing, as they did full well, that it all related to the preparations for hospit

Tipping's (you may get one a-piece, that will be fivepence), and se

, and don't be stingy,"

have a sort of relish of home with it he'll like,--and Mary" (seeing the lassie fain to be off), "you must

hou just go to Alice Wilson; he says she lives just right round the corner, under 14 Barber Street" (this was addressed to his wi

nd saucer, for we have but half-a-dozen,

nd Mary can drink

lice brought her tea-cup and saucer, if the alte

s; in one corner stood the modest-looking bed, with a check curtain at the head, the whitewashed wall filling up the place where the corresponding one should have been. The floor was bricked, and scrupulously clean, although so damp that it seemed as if the last washing would never dry up. As the cellar window looked into an area in the street, down which boys might throw stones, it was protected by an outside shutter, and was oddly festooned with all manner of hedge-row, ditch, and field plants, which we are accustomed to call valueless, but which have a powerful effect either for good or for evil, and are consequently much used among the poor.

as busy trying to light her fire with the damp

t she had barred the door for the night, and has

the candle streamed on the girl's face. "How you are grown si

to tea, and bring your cup and saucer, for George and Jane Wilson is

I'll come, with many thanks. Stay, Mary, has your mother got

n't think

money-spending part. And well and ably did she perform her business, returning home with a little bottle of rum, and the eggs i

ce present, after her humble cellar! She did not think of comparing; but for all that she felt the delicious glow of the fire, the bright light that revelled in every corner of the room, the savoury smells, the co

, the rocking chair, on the right hand side of the fire, nursing her baby, while its fath

a very comfortable portion of confidence in her own culinary powers. Jem stood awkwardly leaning against the dresser, replying rather gruffly to his aunt's speeches, which gave him, he thought, the air of being a little boy; whereas he considered him

ill, for human beings were hungry, and had no time to speak. Alice first broke silence; holding her tea-cup with

ght of Esther, the absent Esther; and Mrs Barton put down her food, and cou

and a dislike to talk about anything else while her tears fell fast and scalding. So George Wilson, his wife, and children set off early home, not before (in spite of mal-a-propos speeches) they had expresse

lice, and going up to Mrs Barton, she took her hand almost

the self-reproaching Alice. "You didn't mean any harm, and it was me as was so foolish; only this work about Esther, an

did she bless Mary Barton or these kind and thoughtful words. But just