'Oh, Mrs. Brown, you don't think that your Georgie, as you used to call him, has got a wife who would not go into a house many times worse than yours, to see one he thinks so much of; so, with your leave, we will all go in, for we have come on purpose to see you.' 'I am very happy, if he has got a lady who knows his worth.' 'Take care, Mrs. Brown, what you say; I am afraid you did a little towards spoiling him when a boy: he is not out of danger yet.' The family now passed into the cottage, while the widow and old Caesar had a few kind salutations to make, 'ere she followed and took her seat among them. Many were the questions asked about the old homestead, for twelve years had passed by since she was last there. Deaths, births, marriages, changes of circumstances, and relations, how they had accumulated during that period! and how often the tears would start, and the lip tremble, as the recital went on! Her own story was but a short one; for many things she was obliged to pass over, or touch lightly upon. 'But where is the little girl you had with you, when last at my father's? she must be almost grown up now.' 'Oh, no; she is but a little girl still; she is only sixteen now; but she is very obedient and kind-hearted.' 'Just like her mother.' 'Oh, I don't know as to that, ma'am; but she is an obedient child, and a great comfort to me--and the best of all is, I hope she is a Christian.' 'That is good,' exclaimed Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford, at the same time. 'Ah--then you both love good things yourselves; don't you?' 'We hope we do.' 'The Lord be praised for his mercies. It seems to me always a great thing for the rich to be pious--they can do so much good.' 'Yes, if they have a heart to do good. Is your daughter at home, Mrs. Brown?' 'No, ma'am; but she will be here soon. She has gone to visit a neighbour a little south of us, among the farmers. We have but a poor neighbourhood around us; and you know young people want some one of their own age to be with and talk to.' 'Why is it, Mrs. Brown, that the people in the barrens are so poor, and apparently so degraded?--they get work enough, and are well paid for it. My husband is very anxious about the matter, and wishes to remedy it if he can.' 'Oh, well, ma'am; I don't know that I have got the right idea of things; but it has appeared to me these many years that there must be wrong management. Our men work hard, but are only able barely to live, as you see; and for so many people to be all poor together, is a great evil.' 'Do you think, Mrs. Brown, that they get their pay?' 'I think they do, ma'am, in a certain way. Mr. Cross settles with them every month, and keeps things square; but you know, ma'am, when a man gets so much power into his hands as Mr. Cross has, he may be tempted to do wrong because no one can bring him to account for it. The men are obliged to take the wages he sees fit to allow them, as there is no one in this region to give them employment.'