'Good little doggie;' and the little hairy rummaging creature, with
the bright black beads of eyes gleaming out from under his shaggy
hair, was doing him more good than her sense and kindness, or Ellen's
either.

She turned to the window, and said to Ellen, 'What a wild-looking lad
that is on the bridge!'

'Yes, Miss Jane,' said Ellen; 'I was quite afraid he would frighten
you.'

'Well, I was surprised,' said Jane; 'I was afraid he might speak to
me; but then I knew I was too near friends for harm to come to me;'
and she laughed at her own fears. 'How ragged and wretched he looks!
Has he been begging?'

'No, Miss Jane; he came into the shop, and bought some bread. He
paid for it honestly; but I never did see any one so dirty. And
there's Alfred wishing to be like him. I knew you would tell him it
is quite wicked, Miss Jane.'

It is not right, I suppose, to wish to be anything but what we are,'
said Jane, rather puzzled by the appeal; 'and perhaps that poor
beggar-boy would only like to have a nice room, and kind mother and
sister, like you, Alfred.'

'I don't say anything against them!' cried the boy vehemently; 'but--
but--I'd give anything--anything in the world--to be able to run
about again in the hay-field! No, don't talk to me, Ellen, I say--I
hate them all when I see them there, and I forced to lie here! I