"Whilst Marten was peeping in, and longing for a bit of toast-and-butter, a little old lady, dressed in a gray silk gown, wearing a mob-cap and long ruffles, came into the kitchen by the inner door. She first spoke to the parrot, then stroked the cat; and then, turning towards the porch-door, she said (speaking to the maid): [Illustration: "_A little old lady, dressed in a gray silk gown, came into the kitchen._"--Page 101.] "'Hannah, why do you leave the door open? The wind comes in very cold.' So saying, she was going to push the door to, when she saw poor little Marten. She observed his black coat, his little bleeding hands, and his pale face, and she felt very sorry for him. 'What little fellow are you?' she said, as she held the door in her hand. 'Where do you come from, and what do you want at my door?' "'My name is Marten,' he answered, 'and I am very cold.' "'Do you belong to the school, my dear?' said she. "'Yes, ma'am,' he answered; 'my mother is dead, and I am very cold.' "'Poor little creature!' said the old lady, whose name was Lovel. 'Do you hear what he says, Hannah? His mother is dead, and he is very cold! Do, Hannah, run over to the school-house, and ask the master if he will give this little boy leave to stay and breakfast with me.' "Hannah set down a tea-cup which she was wiping, and looking at Marten: "'Poor young creature!' she said. 'It is a pity that such a babe as this should be in a public school. Come in, little one, whilst I run over to your master and ask leave for you to stay a little with my mistress.' "Hannah soon returned with the master's leave, and poor little Marten went gladly upstairs into Mrs. Lovel's parlour. There Mrs. Lovel took off his wet shoes and damp stockings, and hung them to the fire, while she rubbed his little numbed feet till they were warm. In the meantime Hannah brought up the tea-things and toast-and-butter, and set all things in order upon the round table. "'You are very good,' said little Marten to Mrs. Lovel; 'I will come and see you every day.' "'You shall come as often as you please,' said Mrs. Lovel, 'if you are a good little boy.' "'Then I will come at breakfast-time, and at dinner-time, and at supper-time,' said Marten. "Mrs. Lovel smiled and looked at Hannah, who was bringing up the cream-pot, followed by the cat. Puss took her place very gravely at one corner of the table, without touching anything. "'Is that your cat, ma'am?' said Marten. "'Yes,' said Mrs. Lovel; 'and see how well she behaves: she never asks for anything, but waits till she is served. Do you think you can behave as well?' "'I will try, ma'am,' said Marten.