Part 19 (2/2)
Meg's eyes opened, and she listened intently. Yes, that was his step, and after it surely, surely, there was the halting one of poor little Cherry.
Jem opened the door and came softly in.
”Meg,” he said, in a smothered voice, ”G.o.d has sent us two little children instead of the one He's took to Himself. Here is d.i.c.kie for you to comfort.”
Meg opened her arms, and Jem laid d.i.c.kie in them.
”No one shan't hurt you any more, d.i.c.kie, while we live,” he said; ”don't you have any more fear.”
The child had given one rapid glance at Meg's face, and the moment he recognized her he nestled down confidently in her arms, while Cherry stood by with happy tears running down her cheeks.
”It's a solemn charge, Jem,” said his mother.
”Cherry says she's been askin' Jesus to find a home for him for ever so long, and now it's come,” answered Jem.
”Cherry, child,” said Mrs. Seymour, ”you come up with me, and I'll put you to bed, and to-morrow we'll talk it all over.”
”Yes, to-morrow I must go and see their father at the hospital. I trust he'll live till then.”
”You won't be 'fraid for 'Cherry' to go to bed, d.i.c.kie?” asked the little girl, looking down on him as he lay.
d.i.c.kie shook his head.
”I'll stay along of mo'ver-Meg,” he said.
Jem sat down, quite overcome, and drew the trembling little Cherry within his kind arm.
Her eyes were wandering round the cosy bedroom, which reminded her so forcibly of her mother's; and when she saw the cot, she thought how lovely it would be to have a baby to hold. But when Jem saw her glance resting there he whispered softly, so as not to disturb Meg,
”The little 'un's gone to be with G.o.d, Cherry; you and d.i.c.kie is come to us instead.”
Cherry's eyes filled with tears, and she laid her head on Jem's kind shoulder, repressing her sobs by a great effort.
”Cherry,” said Mrs. Seymour, ”there's my bed up-stairs, you shall have a good sleep on that; come along, child, or it will be morning.”
Cherry looked towards d.i.c.kie, as if even now loth to let him out of her sight.
”Stay,” added Mrs. Seymour; ”let's have a cup of tea first, and some bread and milk for d.i.c.kie. I dare say you haven't had much? I had just made some before you came.”
Cherry shook her head.
Mrs. Seymour soon put a steaming cup into Jem's hand, and another into Cherry's. Then she cut some bread for them, and placed some in Meg's little saucepan for the child. After which she went to the bed and took him out, telling Meg she should soon have him again if she wished, but that he was hungry.
Meg was too tired and peaceful to say a word. ”He does all things well,”
she thought, and lay quietly sleeping, not noticing the hushed noises which were going on around her.
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