"Why, I thought I fastened that door," cried John, flourishing a paint-brush in her face. "Scamper, or you'll get some paint on your gown." Patty scampered, but not before she had stained her dress. "Where is mother?" asked she of Dorcas. "In the parlor; but don't go in there, child, for the doctor's wife is making a call, and Mrs. Chase, too." Patty did not wait for Dorcas to finish the sentence, but rushed into the parlor, out of breath. I am afraid she was rather glad to let the doctor's wife know she had some money, and thought of giving it away. Patty was not a bold child, but there were times when she did like to show off. "O, mother, mother!" cried she, without stopping to look at the ladies. "Let me have my silver dollar this minute! 'Cause there's a poor little--" "My child," said Mrs. Lyman, in a tone which checked Patty, and made her blush to the roots of her yellow hair. "Pray, let her finish her story," said the doctor's wife, drawing the little one to her side; "it's something worth hearing, I know." "It's a little girl," replied Patty, casting down her eyes, "and her mother is dead and her father is drunk." Patty supposed he lay all the while with his hat on, for she had once seen a man curled up in a heap by the roadside, and had heard John say he was drunk. "How very sad!" said Mrs. Potter. Mrs. Chase looked sorry. "Do you say the mother is dead?" said she. "Yes'm; the man killed her to death with a jug, and then she died," replied Patty, solemnly. "Where is the child? Something must be done about it at once," said Mrs. Potter, a very kind lady, but apt to speak without much thought. "O, Patty, dear, I am glad you have such a good heart. It is beautiful to see little children remembering the words of our Saviour, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Patty's eyes shone with delight. It seemed to her that she was a little Lady Bountiful, going about the world taking care of the poor. She crept closer to Mrs. Potter's side. "I haven't but just one silver dollar," said she, in a low voice; "but I'd ravver give it to the little girl than keep it myself, I would!" "Bless your dear little soul," said the doctor's wife, kissing Patty; but Mrs. Chase said nothing; and all at once it occurred to the child that perhaps Mrs. Chase had heard of her being spoken to in meeting, and that was why she did not praise her. Dreadful thought! It frightened Patty so that she covered up her face till both the ladies had gone away, for they did not stay much longer. After the door was closed upon them, Mrs. Lyman said--, "Here is your silver dollar, Patty, in my pocket." Patty fancied that her mother's voice was rather cold. She had expected a few words of praise, or at least a kiss and a smile. "But think a minute, Patience. Are you sure you want to give it away?" Patty put her fingers in her mouth, and eyed the dollar longingly. How large, and round, and bright it looked!