"Dear me! I guess I know how to do as much as that without telling. Sit down now, and let me hear about the child." So Karl dropped into the wooden arm-chair beside the hearth, and told his story; while Kitty, bustling about, warmed the broth, moved the tea-pot and covered dish of toast nearer to the remnant of fire, waved a few flies off the neat tea-table, and drove out an intrusive chicken, who, before going to roost, was evidently determined to secure a dainty bit for supper from the saucer of bread and milk set in the corner for pussy. "If the broth is ready, I'll take it in," said Karl, as his sister removed it from the fire. "Well, here it is; and do tell Dora to come to supper, or at least come yourself. I want to get cleared away some time." "I'll tell her," said Karl briefly, as he took the bowl of broth, set it in a plate, and laid a silver spoon beside it. "How handy he is! just like a woman," said Kitty to herself as her brother left the room; and then, going out into the sink-room, she finished washing and putting away the "milk-things,"-a process interrupted by the arrival of Dora with her little charge. CHAPTER XIX. A CHAMBER OF MEMORIES. "How is she now, Dora?" asked Karl, softly opening the door of the rosy-room. "Better. You can come in if you want to. Have you got the broth?" "Yes: here it is." "That's nice. Now hold her up, please, this way, while I feed her. See, little Sunshine! here is some nice broth for you. Take a little, won't you?" The pale lips slightly opened, and Dora deftly slipped the spoon between them. The effect was instantaneous; and, as the half-starved child tasted and smelled the nourishing food, she opened wide her eyes, and, fixing them upon the cup, nervously worked her lips, and half extended her poor little hands, wasted and paled by even two days of privation and fatigue. "I tell you what, Dora, this child has had a mighty narrow chance of it," said Karl aside, as Dora patiently administered the broth, waiting a moment between each spoonful. "Yes," replied she softly. "I am so glad I met her! it was a real providence." "For her?" "For me as much," returned Dora simply. "It is so pleasant to be able to do something again!" "You miss your wounded and invalid soldiers, and find it very dull here," said Karl quickly, as he glanced sharply into the open face of the young girl. "Hush, Karl! don't talk now: it will disturb her. Is tea ready?" "Yes, and Kitty sent word for you to come. Run along, and I will stay with the chick till you come back." "No: I can't leave her yet. You go to supper, and perhaps, when you are done, I will leave you with her; or Kitty can stay, and I will clear away." "Won't you let me stay now?" asked the young man hesitatingly. "No. Here, take the bowl, and run along." "'Just as you say, not as I like,' I suppose," said Karl, laughing; and, taking the bowl, he went softly out.