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THE TWIN SISTERS.

that, from that time, the twins never enquired when "Mamma would come back," but they listened, with an attention beyond their years, when the aged Indian woman spoke of her own earnest and simple hope whose home was beyond the grave. To her care they were principally left. Mr. Dalton was often out, he found the solitude of his house insupportable. He had been accustomed to have his lightest movement watched by eyes whose affection triumphed over even the trial of suffering, and the languor of disease. Indiana, even when too weak to speak, had always a smile to give in answer; and, to a man of his temper, silent assent was a pleasant method of continuing the conversation.

There are always an ample sufficiency of compassionate neighbours ready to console one who, by common consent, is styled "the disconsolate widower." He dined out, he spent whole days out, and, beyond a brief summons to his breakfast table, a summons always obeyed with a species of awe, saw but little of the children. He