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still more incapable; yet often with tears in her eyer did she feed these frail beings, her heart like to melt because she had no more to give them. There are no poor-rates in that country. Know-back is quite retired—nobody went near it, and Tibby complained to non, but wrought on, and fought away, night and day, in sorrow and anxiety, but still with a humble and thankful heart.
In this great strait, Mrs Forret was the first who began, unsolicited, to take compassion on the destitute group. She could not conceive how they existed on the poor creature's earnings. So she went privately to see them, and when she saw their wretched state, and heard their blessings on their dear child, her heart was moved to pity, and she determined to assist them in secret, for her husband was such a churl, that publicly she durst not venture to do it. Accordingly, whenever she had an opportunity, she made Tibby come into the kitchen, and get a meal for herself; and often the considerate lady slid a small loaf, or a little tea and sugar, into her lap, quietly, for the two aged invalids:—for gentle woman is always the first to pity, and the first to relieve.
Poor Tibby! how her heart expanded with grati-
