第8部分(第7/7 页)

　close　behind。

The　first　was　a　tall　lady　with　dark　hair；　dark　eyes；　and　a　pale　and　large　forehead；　her　figure　was　partly　enveloped　in　a　shawl；　her　countenance　was　grave；　her　bearing　erect。

“The　child　is　very　young　to　be　sent　alone；”　said　she；　putting　her　candle　down　on　the　table。　She　considered　me　attentively　for　a　minute　or　two；　then　further　added—

“She　had　better　be　put　to　bed　soon；　she　looks　tired：　are　you　tired？”　she　asked；　placing　her　hand　on　my　shoulder。

“A　little；　ma’am。”

“And　hungry　too；　no　doubt：　let　her　have　some　supper　before　she　goes　to　bed；　Miss　Miller。　Is　this　the　first　time　you　have　left　your　parents　to　e　to　school；　my　little　girl？”

I　explained　to　her　that　I　had　no　parents。　She　inquired　how　long　they　had　bee