Part 27 (2/2)
”Yes,” answered Meg, ”and I'm much obliged to you for thinking of her, sir.”
”Oh, as to that, she may as well have it as any one else. It is two s.h.i.+llings a week, and not very hard work.”
After arranging that Cherry should begin the next morning, he bade them good day, and went off to finish his rounds.
”Oh, mother-Meg, did you ever think I could have anything so nice?”
asked Cherry, kneeling down by her side, and laying her head on d.i.c.kie's lap.
”No, indeed,” answered Meg, ”we must not forget to thank Him who has sent it to us, Cherry. How kind G.o.d is to us!”
Cherry did not answer in words, but she was very quiet for a long while, looking soberly into the fire.
Presently d.i.c.kie, concluding that the doctor was gone, and that he need have no further fear of molestation, put up his little hand to stroke Meg's face.
”Well, dear?” she said inquiringly, for there was a question on his lips.
”Mo'ver-Meg, did the doctor say as you was goin' to _lose_ me?”
”No, dearie, he did not think I should,” said Meg, soothingly.
”'Cause he _said_ so,” persisted d.i.c.kie.
”He didn't mean that,” answered Meg softly; ”and even if he had, d.i.c.kie, those who love Jesus can never be really lost.”
”I 'ove Jesus,” said d.i.c.kie, considering, ”and so do Cherry.”
”I'm sure you do; and to those who love Him He says, 'No man is able to pluck them out of My hand.' When once we are in the care of Jesus, nothing shall ever drag us away from that.”
”Is that why Jesus has sent me to you, mo'ver-Meg?”
”I expect it is, d.i.c.kie; He's been very good to you.”
d.i.c.kie smiled happily, then started up expectantly.
”There's fa'ver-Jem!” he exclaimed.
”So it is,” cried Meg.
Even then he did not attempt to look, but sat in an att.i.tude of suppressed excitement, till Jem really came in and shut the door.
”Where's my secret?” asked d.i.c.kie eagerly.
”Let me speak to Meg first,” answered Jem, coming to his wife's side and kissing her.
”Well, sweetheart, the room don't look like the same with you out of it, that's certain!”
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