Little Miss Joy

was only a faint murmur like the whisper of gentle voices, as the little wav

so many black birds with folded wings, waiting for the flow of the water to bring them to the beach. All the blinds were down in the

with their exertions on the sand the evening

kets full of seaweed, pebbles, and shells, looking like the veriest little ragged waifs and strays, who were known as "the beach children," and who were an ever-moving population

f difficulties. This wide expanse of sand and sand-mounds is called the Denes; and as little weary feet plod over it, it seems in its vastness a very desert of Sahara. Yet there is a charm about the Denes which the children feel. A sense of freedom, and a power to deal with

longside which many large ships from all countries lie. There is a wide market-place and several good streets. But the heart and core of the old town i

abitants have a faded, washed-out look, like that of a plant shut in a

drooped so much that her real height was lost. She had a sad face, where lines of care and anxiety had made a network perhaps earlier in life than wrinkles had any

orward, she might well attract any passer-by, while she looked right and left,

an infinite pathos in the dark eyes, scanned the narrow pa

nt. Patience started, and took a step forw

rison. You are about early. It is as fin

ight curls clustered. No contrast could be greater than between Patience Harrison and George Paterson: the man so full of life, and the enjoyment

ndeed, you look as if you hadn't been to bed. I h

orse storm than ever last night at supper-time, and-and-

eorge exclaimed. "I'd

s scourged by a tongue, Jack is. I mean to leave

ight-the light of hope-"well, there's a home ready fo

Why do you ask me? I wo

've watched and waited for eleven years; sure

nd watched, as you say. It is the business o

basket on his broad shoulders, as if he were going to walk on. But af

ut Jack? How

ittle cornet you gave him, when she told him to be quiet. He upset a jug of water on the table,

e lau

k; he has felt her claws oft

me, but tore out of the room, out of the house, and has never come back. Oh, George, what if

on't hurt him. The young rascal, to give you all this trouble! Yes,

tion. Remember he has had no father,

e found! I am sorry for the boy that he has had to live with a cross-

or my father's sake, and she has

ster Jack. See! I will leave my basket of tools here as an assurance that I am coming back. You go and lie

nce shook

d watching," she said ag

rch up and down the row, with

ket of tools just within the do

blue sky, Patience; look

to the narrow bit of sky which made a deeply

love which is over us. Take heart, an

he set himself up to lecture his listener, but just simply to try to

far off; and-don't be angry with me, George, but I wish you

than you are. I can get over

en to the quay, and was perhaps on board one of the ships lying there. He had threatened before

so long ago," he said. "He loved the sea, and he wis

he distance, Mrs. Harrison pulled a stool towards her ou

gainst the door, and looked up at the sky half unconsciously. As she looked, a blind in one of the windows of the opposite house was lifted, and the window cautiously opened, while

eastern s

ift my li

rk sings l

se to prai

to Thy c

aylight us

often se

'er the Ea

esus! Thou

anger, jo

day my po

et it all

ly, for the child saw that her opposite neig

ing her hand. "I see you! I'm coming down w

red, and there was sil

h a smile, and her eyes dancing with the light of the morning of life. Dear unclouded child-eyes! How soon they lose that first sweet innocent gaze! How soon the cares and sin

id, as the child tripped across the row, and

itting here all alone, and looking so sad

touched the fountain of tears, a

has run away. I couldn't

ll come back-of course he will. Don't cry, my dear Goody Patienc

as usual; and Jack was rude, I know

d I love him dearly, and so does Uncle Bobo. He says he is like a fine ship-all sails set and flags flying

o not excuse him, though I know he has had a great

alk to him," Joy said, with a wise nod of her golden hea

Paterson thinks he knows where to find

d Uncle Bobo will be wanting his breakfast, and I always help Susan to get it

on the pale, woe-struck fac