Part 36 (1/2)

”_G.o.d's_ hymn-book.”

”What did the child mean?” thought Meg, as she gathered him into her arms and kissed him again and again. ”Was he thinking how Cherry sang out of her hymn-book at home? And what could the lark sing out of, but G.o.d's hymn-book?” She did not know; but she looked with awe into the little face, which already, to her mind, seemed to reflect the light of heaven.

”Mother-Meg,” said d.i.c.kie, all unconscious of her thoughts, ”I should like to stay here always, 'cause the birds do sing so nice.”

”Yes, d.i.c.kie, so they do, but we couldn't stay here always, because of father-Jem and Cherry. They'll want us back again.”

”Yes, we can't stay away from Cherry, 'cause she takes care o' d.i.c.kie when you're not there; and I love father-Jem too.”

”We are going back to-morrow, d.i.c.kie; but some day I hope you and Cherry will both come and see my mother again.”

”She's very _kind_,” nodded d.i.c.kie. ”I'll come some day.”

Mrs. Archer, who was sitting by, quite appreciated the compliment. She smiled a little tearfully, however.

”This has been a happy, peaceful month, Meg; I've enjoyed it as I never expected to enjoy anything on this earth again.”

So Meg and d.i.c.kie went back to smoky London; and when Cherry saw her little brother, she was fain to burst into tears of joy, so altered and improved was he. And Jem was equally pleased with Meg, and said she looked like the country girl he had brought away a year ago.

As d.i.c.kie sat telling all his little news on Cherry's lap, he whispered earnestly--

”Cherry, I've heard 'em all day long. They sang Halleluia, like you!”

When Cherry noticed that Meg was sufficiently at liberty to attend to her, while still holding d.i.c.kie tightly in her arms as if she could not part with him, she produced something mysteriously out of her pocket, and handed it to Meg.

It was a little shabby purse, and when at her entreaty Meg opened it, it was found to contain ten whole s.h.i.+llings and a bright half-crown.

”Those are my first earnings, mother-Meg,” said Cherry, smiling and colouring, ”and they are for you.”

”Not for me, dear; I shall put them away for you.”

”No,” answered Cherry stoutly; ”I'm your child now--you know you said so, yourself--and so all I get is yours. Don't give it back, mother-Meg--don't--but let it go into the savings-bag.”

”Shall I, Jem?” asked Meg, doubtfully.