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The poor girl wept; the father bowed down and prayed.

CHAPTER XXXVII.
CHRISTIAN Benevolence. -- Dan.

BETWEEN Mr. and Mrs. Haddock and James, there still continued a friendship of the strongest nature. The latter remembered them in connection with every incident of his boyhood that had any bearing on his after-life of freedom and happiness. Had it not been for them, he confessed he might still be a gaping, half- idiotic fool, in rags and deep poverty, the chattel of the town. He frequently called at their house -- running in at breakfast, dinner, or tea, as it best suited him, or passing the evening and" night. They called him one of their children.

In concert with each other, they often formed some plan of visiting the poor at their rendezvous, the poor-house, or of carrying relief to such of the inhabitants of the town as they knew were pressed with hard fortune.

About the time the events alluded to in the last chapter occurred, Mrs. Haddock asked James when he would accompany her on a visit to Henrietta and her father.

"I have some little things that I wish to give Hetty," said she.

"Day after to-morrow I will go," said he.

"Is it some time since you were there?" she asked.

"I have been there within five or six weeks," he answered.

"I visited them three weeks ago with Mr. Haddock," said she, "and Henrietta was not very well at that time. Although I presume it was only the result of fatigue and over-exertion to support her father, yet I am quite anxious to see her again."

"Go by all means," said her husband.

"Let us take Ellen with us," said James.

"Ellen is going to pass the week at her sister Frances'."

"Too bad, Ellen!" said James.

"Yes, I should think so, if I didn't hope for some other opportunity," said she.

"I would not deprive Fanny of your visit on any account. And you look for me at tea some evening, too, will you?"

"Oh, yes -- with pleasure."

"Well, then, I will not fail to be there. And, by the way, tell Mr. Maitland and Fanny that we expect our tourists home the first of September."

"Ah! is it possible?" said all. "Then you have just heard?"

"Yes, this morning," said he. "They have returned to London, and will not fail to leave for home about the middle of August."

This was very pleasing news to the company. Mr. and Mrs. Rodman were very happy in their parochial relations, having secured the regard of the greater portion of the people, old and young. Their absence was a source of regret to the parish, but not of discontent. On the contrary, they had encouraged them in taking the excursion, and readily contributed in part to its expense, in the meantime paying a young unmarried minister a hundred dollars a month to supply the pulpit.

True to his appointment, James appeared at Mr. Haddock's to accompany Mrs. Haddock to the cottage of Captain Bunce. They arrived there about eleven in the forenoon. It was a very ordinary looking dwelling, very small, very common; but the hand of neatness had evidently been there; and all round the building there were marks of taste that reconciled one to the lowly looks of the cottage itself.

Our friends were surprised to find Henrietta so ill.

"Why did you not send up word to me?" said Mrs. Haddock, reproachfully, though tenderly.

"I had no opportunity," said she; "and I did not feel as much unwell as now until Monday last. Since then I have looked for you, and have greatly desired to see you."

"I am very glad that I came. Now I shall stay with you all day, and James can return with the horse when he feels obliged to. Mr. Haddock will come for me at evening."

"I am in no haste," said he, "and I should like to talk with the Captain awhile when he comes in."

"Father will be home directly, I think," said Henrietta. "He has gone into the woods for winter green leaves and spruce to make himself a little beer. I think he can't have gone far."

"I will wait awhile," said James, "and if he should not return will go for him. And how is your father, Henrietta?"

"He is pretty well, I think, and very attentive to me now."

"I am very happy to hear that," said Mrs. Haddock.

"It is very good in him certainly," said James. "You have been always a help to him, and he must feel your sickness very sensibly."

"Just see here, Henrietta, what a huge bouquet of roses we have brought you! James and Sarah made it before we left home."

"Why! it is perfectly delicious and reviving," said Hetty. "Thank you, sir, and thank Sarah for me -- the dear girl, I wish she had come with you."

"Oh! Sarah is my main ' arm' at home. I could hardly keep house but for her. She will manage in my absence very well, and see that her father's dinner is ready for him in season."

"Yes, Sarah is a sterling girl," said James, "and a great favorite of her father and mother."

"She is the youngest, Mr. James," said Mrs. Haddock.

"Well, there is something in that I grant," said he.

"She must come and see me as often as she can; may she, Mrs. Haddock? You know I can't go about a great deal, and am a 'home body' on my own and on father's account."