1. Mercy and her little sister watched at the window for a minute or
two more, but the creature did not move.
2. And Mercy cried out, "Oh, I quite forgot! Of course, the shed door
is shut! Father has put his tools there, his spade and rake.
3. "When Brownie was sold the straw which was his bed was taken out,
and some sacks of corn and barley were kept there instead.
4. "Poor Brownie! I dare say he wonders why his nice old house is shut
up so that he cannot get in!"
5. "I will give him some bread from my breakfast in the morning,
because it is Christmas Day," said little Nelly. "He will like that,
won't he?"
6. Her sister made no answer, but, moving from the window, she took
down from a peg her hat and thick jacket. She put them on.
7. "Why, Mercy!" said Nelly, who looked with much surprise at what her
sister was doing; "what are you doing? You cannot be going out now in
the snow?"
8. "Do not make a noise," said Mercy. "You know that mother is not
well, and perhaps she is just dropping off to sleep. I cannot bear to
leave him freezing out there all night,--Christmas Eve and all!
[Illustration: OUT IN THE COLD.]
9. "I could not creep under the warm blanket and forget him. No one
will see him but us, for only our window looks this way. So I am just
going to run out and get the shed open for him."