The tears came thick and fast, and perhaps they did him good.

'But, Alfred,' said Jane, trying to puzzle into the right thing,
'sometimes things are sent to punish us, and then we ought to submit
quietly.'

'I don't know what I've done, then,' he cried angrily. 'There have
been many worse than I any day, that are well enough now.'

'Oh, Alfred, it is not who is worse, but what one is oneself,' said
Jane.

Alfred grunted.

'I wish I knew how to help you,' she said earnestly; 'it is so very
sad and hard; and I dare say I should be just as bad myself if I were
as ill; but do, pray, Alfred, try to think that nobody sent it but
God, and that He must know best.'

Alfred did not seem to take in much comfort, and Jane did not believe
she was putting it rightly; but it was time for her to go home, so
she said anxiously, 'Good-bye, Alfred; I hope you'll be better next
time--and--and--' She bent down and spoke in a very frightened
whisper, 'You know when we go to church, we pray you may have
patience under your sufferings.'

Then she sprang away, as if ashamed of the sound of her own words;
but as she was taking up her basket and wishing Ellen good-bye, she
saw that the strange lad had moved nearer the house, and timid little
thing as she was, she took out a sixpence, and said, 'Do give him