They often stopped to rest, but only for a short space at a time, and then went on, having had but little food since the morning. It was nearly five o’clock in the afternoon when, drawing near another cluster of huts, the child looked into each, doubtful at which to ask for leave to rest awhile and buy a drink of milk. It was not easy to choose, for she was very timid. Here was a crying child, and there a noisy wife. In this, the people seemed too poor, in that too many. At length she stopped at one where the family were seated round the table. She chose this cottage because there was an old man sitting in a chair beside the hearth, and she thought he was a grandfather, and would be kind to hers. There were, besides, the cottager, his wife, and three little children, brown as berries. As soon as Nell had made known her wants she was invited within. The eldest boy ran out to fetch some milk, the second dragged two stools towards the door, while the youngest crept to his mother’s gown, and looked at the strangers from beneath his sunburnt hand. "You are welcome, master," said the old cottager, in a thin, piping voice. "Are you travelling far?" "Yes, sir; a long way," replied the child, for her grandfather had turned to her for an answer. "From London?" asked the old man The child said yes. The milk arrived, and Nell having opened her little basket and selected the best pieces for her grandfather, they made a hearty meal. "How far is it to a town or village?" she asked of the husband. "A matter of a good five mile, my dear." was the reply; "but you’re not going on to-night?" "Yes, yes, Nell," said the old man hastily. "Farther on, farther on, darling; farther away, if we walk till midnight." "There’s a good barn hard by, master," said the man. "Excuse me, but you do seem a little tired, and unless you wish to get on—" "Yes, yes, we do," said the old man fretfully.—"Farther away, dear Nell; pray, farther away." "We must go on, indeed," said the child. "We thank you very much, but we cannot stop so soon.—I’m quite ready, grandfather." But the woman had seen that one of Nell’s little feet was blistered and sore, and she would not let her go until she had washed the place, which she did so carefully and with such a gentle hand that the child’s heart was too full for her to say more than a fervent "God bless you!" When they had left the cottage some distance behind Nell turned her head and saw that the whole family, even the old grandfather, were standing in the road, watching them as they went on their way; and so, with many waves of the hand and cheering nods, and on one side at least not without tears, they parted company. They now walked more slowly and painfully than they had done yet for about a mile, when they heard the sound of wheels behind them, and looking round saw an empty cart drawing near to them. The driver on coming up to them stopped his horse and looked hard at Nell.