cold, so Mrs. Lee's resolution had strengthened in keen adversity.
Lucy's labours were interrupted by a summons home. Her father was dead. The events that are appointed alike to all seldom pass without awakening sympathy. No poor widow could be more lonely than was Mrs. Lee; but she found friends among those who bore it steadily in mind that "to do good and to communicate is an acceptable sacrifice."
"Charlie," said Mrs. Lovett, bustling in a few minutes after Lucy had got home, "Charlie would not give me a minute's peace till I came over to see how you all were—and so forth."
The and so forth, afterward explained with an awkwardness that had the quality of inward grace, meant, that, at Charles's instigation, seconded by her own generous heart, and authorized by heir husband, she came to offer to defray the expenses of a decent funeral.
Mrs. Lee had calmly supported herself till that moment; but such kindness from persons almost strangers to her, such a tribute of respect to her and her little ones in their very low estate, overcame her, and she burst into tears. As soon as she could regain her composure, and express her gratitude in words, she communicated, with the confidence that such kindness deserved, the precise state of her affairs. She had a watch which had been given to her husband by his mother. It had once been very valuable, and now, though old-fashioned, if Mr. Lovett could obtain a just price for it, she should be able to meet the expenses of the funeral. She did not tell how tenaciously, through
