Part 28 (2/2)
d.i.c.kie a.s.sented, but he was thinking of other things.
”Did ye say as my eyes 'ud be all right there, fa'ver-Jem?” he asked at length.
”Yes; all right there. 'They shall see His face,'” answered Jem.
d.i.c.kie was satisfied.
”Put me in my chair close to mo'ver-Meg, fa'ver-Jem, and she'll tell me all 'bout it. She allays does tell me such nice fings.”
[Ill.u.s.tration]
[Ill.u.s.tration]
CHAPTER XVII.
CHERRY'S APOLOGY.
That night, when Cherry had gone up to bed in Mrs. Seymour's room, and d.i.c.kie was fast asleep, Meg and Jem found themselves alone by their own fireside.
”My girl,” he said, when she turned her face towards him after a long look in the fire, ”this is a funny change as has come across our life.”
”I hope it isn't a disappointment to you, Jem,” she said. ”I mean about Cherry and d.i.c.kie.”
”No, my dear, no,” he answered heartily. ”If I had the choice over again I'd do the same.”
”So would I,” said Meg, ”a hundred times over. I did not know all the joy it would bring. I never thought of it at first as anything but a care, that we did for our Lord's sake. I never guessed it would turn into a blessing.”
”That's how the Lord's way mostly is,” said Jem, thoughtfully; ”but this about poor little d.i.c.kie is a sad thing, Meg, and will make him a great care. Not that I grudge it--but as far as we can look ahead, it 'ull be more difficult nor if he could see.”
Meg could not speak of it yet without tears, and she leant her head against Jem's shoulder in silence. Soon after this Mrs. Seymour came in, and Jem put her into her chair, saying--
”Mother, I was just thinking about you; for I want to ask your advice. I don't like to see this pale face. I want to send my Meg down to the country for a week or two.”
Meg turned and was going to speak, but Jem put up his hand playfully, and went on--
”Mrs. MacDonald wants some more repairs done, and I'm to be sent there next week. Now what could be better'n Meg's goin' too?”
”Beautiful,” said Mrs. Seymour. ”Cherry will help me nicely, and we'll manage to take care of d.i.c.kie while she is away. Wouldn't you like it, my dear?”
”I was only going to say,” said Meg, ”that the doctor told me this afternoon that it would be the very best thing for d.i.c.kie. Jem, might I take him?”
Jem stroked her cheek, which had flushed with eagerness, and he said, turning to Mrs. Seymour and smiling a little sadly--
”Mother, she's like a hen with one chick; n.o.body can't take care of d.i.c.kie but her.”
<script>