asked Phebe , looking up at her guest and wondering how life could be dull to a girl who wore a silk frock , a daintily frilled apron , a pretty locket , and had her hair tied up with a velvet snood . `` Yes , I shall stay till my uncle comes . He is my guardian now , and I do n't know what he will do with me . Have you a guardian ? '' `` My sakes , no ! I was left on the poor-house steps a little mite of a baby , and Miss Rogers took a liking to me , so I 've been there ever since . But she is dead now , and I take care of myself . '' `` How interesting ! It is like Arabella Montgomery in the ` Gypsy 's Child . ' Did you ever read that sweet story ? '' asked Rose , who was fond of tales of found-lings , and had read many . `` I do n't have any books to read , and all the spare time I get I run off into the woods ; that rests me better than stories , '' answered Phebe , as she finished one job and began on another . Rose watched her as she got out a great pan of beans to look over , and wondered how it would seem to have life all work and no play . Presently Phebe seemed to think it was her turn to ask questions , and said , wistfully , `` You 've had lots of schooling , I suppose ? '' `` Oh , dear me , yes ! I 've been at boarding school nearly a year , and I 'm almost dead with lessons . The more I got , the more Miss Power gave me , and I was so miserable that I ` most cried my eyes out . Papa never gave me hard things to do , and he always taught me so pleasantly I loved to study . Oh , we were so happy and so fond of one another ! But now he is gone , and I am left all alone . ''
The tear that would not come when XXXXX sat waiting for it came now of its own accord two of them in fact and rolled down her cheeks , telling the tale of love and sorrow better than any words could do it .
Montgomery Phebe Rogers Rose found-lings left locket poor-house snood year