Part 8 (1/2)

Chester smiled, but more at the trust and exulting love that beamed in his wife's face, than from any confidence excited by her words.

He had relieved his mind by this little confidential chat, and made an effort to be cheerful again.

Mrs. Chester turned and glanced toward the bed where her little guest lay quite still, and to all appearance asleep. She looked so comfortable in her snow-white gown and the little cap of spotted muslin, with its border of cheap lace falling softly around the high forehead and hollow temples, that Mrs. Chester could not help smiling.

”How contented she looks,” murmured the happy wife, pressing her husband's hand, and thus drawing his attention toward the little bed.

”Did you ever see such a change in your life?”

”She does sleep very quietly and looks almost pretty, now that she is comfortable and quiet. You are pleased that I brought her home, Jane?”

”Pleased, why yes, of course I am pleased, but then this is only for one night, John. What will become of her to-morrow?” and Mrs. Chester looked with a sort of pleading earnestness into her husband's face, as if she had something on her mind which he might not quite sanction.

”I know--it was that partly which made me a little downhearted just now. It will be hard for her to go away to-morrow--she will feel it very much after you have made her so snug and comfortable.”

”But why send her away?” said Mrs. Chester softly, as if she were proposing something very wrong, only that her eyes were brim full of kindness, and a world of gentle persuasion lay in the smile with which she met his surprised look--it was a smile of audacious benevolence, if we may use the term.

”If we could afford it,” said Chester, heaving a sigh; ”but no--no, Jane, we must not think of this, remember I am in debt still. Let us be just before we are charitable. We have no right to give while we owe a cent which is not yet earned.”

The smile left Jane Chester's face--she sighed and looked gravely in the fire; this view of the matter dampened her spirits. After a little her face brightened up.

”Well, John, I suppose you are right, but then what if I manage to keep the child, and save just as much as usual at the end of the week?

then it would be my own little charity, you know.”

”But how can you manage that, Jane?”

”Well, now, promise to let me have my own way--just promise that before we go another step--and I will manage it; you shall see.”

Chester shook his head, and was about to speak, but his wife rose just then half leaning on his chair, her arm somehow got around his neck, and bending her red lips close to his cheek she raised the only hand that was disengaged and folded the fingers over his mouth.

”Not a word, John--not a word; only promise to let me have my own way--I will have it--you know that well enough!”

”Well,” said Chester, laughing, and trying to speak through the fingers that held his lips, ”well, go on--I promise--only don't quite stop my breath!”

”Very well,” said Jane Chester, removing her hand, and clasping it with the other that fell over his shoulder; ”now you shall hear.”

”With our little family, you know, I have a great deal of spare time.”

”I don't know any such thing, Jane--you are always at work.”

”Oh, yes, st.i.tching your s.h.i.+rt-bosoms in plaits so fine that n.o.body can see them; ruffling Isabel's pantalets, and knitting lace to trim morning-gowns and frocks--but what does that amount to?”

”Why, nothing, only you and Isabel always look so pretty and lady-like with these things.”

”Very well--but does all this st.i.tching and so on, help to pay your debts?”

”No, perhaps not; but then it pleases me--it sends us into the world well dressed, and”--

”Gratifies your pride a little, hey!” said Mrs. Chester, interrupting him. ”Very well, this shall not be all my own charity. You and Isabel shall help--we will all adopt the little girl.”

”Well, what do you mean--what would you be at?”