hiding-place. "What can have brought _her_ here? I'll get Aunt Mary to
give her something to eat. I daresay she's hungry enough, for Miss
Preston told me she didn't think her new mother gave her enough to
eat."

"I think she ought to be scolded and sent away," said Stella
decidedly. "You are just encouraging her impertinence in coming here
to watch us."

But Lucy had already run off to her aunt, and was soon carrying a
plate heaped with good things to the astonished Nelly, who, frightened
at being discovered, and at Stella's frowning looks, was thinking how
she might make good her escape. Stella had only spoken as she had been
accustomed to hear those around her speak. She had been brought up to
look upon poverty and rags as something almost wicked in themselves,
and had never realized that feelings the same as her own might lie
under an exterior she despised. She had never been taught the meaning
of "I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave
me drink." Lucy, on the contrary, had been taught to consider it the
highest privilege and gratification to impart a share of the bounties
bestowed upon herself to the poor and needy whom our Saviour has left
as a legacy to His followers, and had already tasted the happiness of
lightening somewhat the load of poverty and hardship which press upon
some during all their lives.

She soon reassured Nelly, and had the satisfaction of seeing her
enjoy the food with the zest of one to whom such delicacies were rare
indeed, and whose appetite was very seldom fully satisfied at home.
She explained to the rest that Nelly was in her class at Sunday
school; and Stella mentally put it down as another objection to going