In spite of the new clothes that Bob's careful saving up had procured for him, little Willie seemed to feel the cold very keenly, and Bob often felt very anxious about him. He caught cold, and that left him with a bad cough. Several times Bob had to leave him at home while he went to his crossing alone. But these were miserable days for the elder boy. He always declared that people took no notice of him when Willie was not there, and it was very little he could earn. Had it not been for Mrs. Blair, the children would often have had to spend the night out of doors. One very wet evening in December Bob turned into the mission-room alone. Willie had been too ill to go out with him in the morning, and he wanted to go straight home; he thought Willie would be so lonely. But Willie would not hear of it. "No, Bob," he said; "go an' see my pretty lady, so's yer can tell me wot she says when yer come 'ome." Miss. Elton saw him come in at the door, and quickly missed her little favourite. "Why, Bob," she said, "where's Willie?" "Please'm," he answered, "'e ain't well. 'E couldn't come out with me to-day." "Poor little chap!" said the lady kindly. "I hope he isn't very bad. I must come and see him. Do you think he would like me to?" "I should jist think 'e would," answered Bob. "Very well, then, you must tell me the way, and I will come to-morrow." Bob did so as clearly as he could, then went to his seat. But it was very little that he heard of the address that evening, for his head was so full of the visit that was to be paid that he couldn't take in anything else. Directly the meeting was over he flew off as fast as his legs could carry him. "Willie, Willie!" he burst out, as soon as he got into the room. "Guess wot I've got to tell yer! "Can't," said Willie. "Do tell me, Bob." "Some one's comin' to see yer to-morrer." "To see me!" repeated Willie. "Who, Bob?" "Who should it be," said Bob, "but yer lady!" "Truth, Bob? Do yer mean it?" for it seemed almost too good to be true. "My pretty lady!" "Yes," said Bob. "Ain't it prime? I know'd yer'd be glad." Mrs. Blair was almost as excited as the children themselves, at the idea of the visitor, and she declared she would have to be up an hour earlier, in order to be ready for the lady. The next morning Willie very much wanted his brother to stay at home with him to see the lady, but Bob knew he must not do that. "It won't do to lose a day now, Willie," he said. "I must go an' earn some money, else wot'll we do?" And with a brave face he shouldered his broom and marched off. True to her promise, Miss Elton found her way that morning to Mrs. Blair's. She had some difficulty in following Bob's directions, for they were not very clear. But she arrived there at lasts and found Willie eagerly watching for her at the window. "Why, Willie, my little man," she said, "you didn't come to see me last night."