Part 25 (2/2)

”Oh, yes; only Mrs. Seymour has got such a lovely fire for yer, d.i.c.kie; and I'm goin' to try to carry yer up.”

Meg added her word that it would be very nice; so d.i.c.kie allowed himself to be lifted out of bed.

”I 'tom back soon,” he nodded, as he was borne towards the door.

”Yes, dear.”

Then as Cherry went out, Jem came in from the other room, and sat down by his wife's side.

”Let me carry him, dear,” said Mrs. Blunt's voice outside. ”He's too heavy for you, and I was just a-goin' up.”

”Oh, thank you; but I often do carry him,” said Cherry.

”My! ain't he light? Well, dear,” to the child, ”you're not afraid as I am old Sairy?”

For Mrs. Blunt had heard the whole story from Miss Hobson that morning.

”No,” said d.i.c.kie; but the very name made him tremble, and Mrs. Blunt, perceiving it, knew she should not have said that.

When he was placed on Mrs. Seymour's lap, Mrs. Blunt produced something which she had carried on her arm.

”There!” she said, with evident delight; ”don't you think as we've been quick? This little nightgown was calico in the shop at nine o'clock this mornin', and here it is ready for him to put on now.”

”You've made it for him?” asked Mrs. Seymour, too astonished to find words.

”That we have! When you sent for me this mornin' to tell me about borrowin' mine--bless 'im, he was welcome to it!--and to ask me to 'elp you with your laundry work, as 'as been put so behind this week, I ran down to Jenny to see if she would mind my children. (She's a kind girl at a pinch.) And then thinks I, 'Mrs. Seymour won't be ready with her irons and things for a few minutes;' and I pops on my bonnet, and takes the little 'uns round to the shop to get the calico. We was back in no time, and there was Jenny smiling at the door waitin' for me.

”'Jenny,' says I to her, 'I know as you're good at your needle, and I want to surprise Mrs. Seymour. I haven't made a present to any one these many years, but if you'll help me, I will to-day!'

”Jenny, she takes it in as kind as anythink.

”'All right,' she says. 'And I'll mind those precious babies of yours, and do the work as well; for I'm right down sorry for 'em up-stairs, that I am.'

”So we cut it out, and she was set-to with her needle afore I come up to you. When I got down again at twelve o'clock, after you'd finished with me, she'd done more than half of it, that she had!”

Mrs. Blunt was out of breath, so Cherry unfolded the little nightgown and showed it to d.i.c.kie, who, however, only smiled gratefully, but did not venture more than a peep with his poor little inflamed eyes.

Mrs. Seymour was so pleased at the thoughtful kindness that she could not say much.

”Don't think as I grudged him the _other_!” said Mrs. Blunt; ”but I thought as you'd feel it nicer for him to have one of his own.”

”I'm sure Meg will take it very kind of you,” said Mrs. Seymour, gratefully.

”Kind!” echoed Mrs. Blunt. ”Nothin' as I could do for her would be kind, after all she has done for me. Why, my dear, I'm a new woman!”

Mrs. Seymour was too surprised to answer, and Mrs. Blunt went on earnestly:

<script>