Part 22 (1/2)
”I will try to be,” she said humbly. ”And please don't think, ma'am, as I've took to bad ways, 'cause--”
Cherry's voice was choked, and she could say no more.
Had the child guessed a certain holding back in Mrs. Seymour's manner.
”Why?” she asked gravely.
”'Cause,” answered Cherry in a low voice, ”I've never forgot what mother taught me. She said as I belonged to Jesus. When I thought of that--”
”Well?” asked Mrs. Seymour gently.
”I tried to please Him,” said Cherry, hiding her face in the pillow.
Mrs. Seymour bent over her.
”Forgive me, little Cherry; I was so afraid--but now I'm not. Look up, dear, and give me a kiss.”
Cherry put her arms round her neck without a word; and then Mrs. Seymour asked her if she would not like some breakfast soon?
Cherry's eyes brightened. ”Oh, ma'am,” she said, ”I've not had anything but a crust for so long that I gave up callin' it breakfast.”
”Well, child, when you have made yourself a bit tidy you come down as quiet as you can, and see what I'm about. There's Jem's teapot on the hob for you, and some nice bread and b.u.t.ter. d.i.c.kie's fast asleep now, and I must go back to them.”
She went to seek Jem, who was not in the front room. She came to the open door, and saw him standing looking intently into the cradle. He turned hastily when he saw his mother, and signed to her to go into the other room, whither he followed quickly.
”Mother,” he said, in a low tone, ”what must I do about the little babe?”
He spoke in a smothered voice, and his mother knew the pang he must feel, now the excitement of all that had happened on the previous day was pa.s.sing off.
She gave him a few brief instructions, and after saying he understood, he presently added, ”Mother, I shall go to my master's, and ask him to let me off for a few hours. There ain't nothin' particular doin', so I dare say he'll make no objections. You see I've got to go about this----; and then when I come back Cherry and me must go to the hospital. I've been told as he's not expected to live the day. D'ye think my Meg'ull be awake when I come back?”
”Very likely she will. And, Jem, tell Mrs. Blunt as you pa.s.s, as I want her to step up for a few minutes. I've done by her clothes as I've never done by no one's, all these twenty years that I've washed for people. I've let some one belongin' to me wear one! What do you think of your old mother now, Jem?”
”It's what she'll think,” answered Jem with a slight smile. ”I'll tell her to step up anyway.”
[Ill.u.s.tration]
[Ill.u.s.tration]
CHAPTER XIV.
IN THE HOSPITAL.
Jem came back within the hour. He found his Meg awake and calm. She had had some breakfast, and was now lying with her hand clasped in little d.i.c.kie's with a serene smile on her face.
As for the child, he lay on the soft white pillow with his eyes closed from the light, dozing occasionally and then rousing just enough to understand the tender care that surrounded him, and to realize that he need have no fear now.
”Cherry,” he said, without moving, hearing Jem's entrance and believing it to be his sister, ”is this what ye asked Jesus to send me?”