Part 64 (1/2)
”Well get it out, Essie.”
”Yes, ma.”
”Promise, Essie!”
”Sure, ma; we'll get it out and keep it out.”
”Oh, Joe, why did you keep us waitin' and waitin'? She's so little and pretty. Look at her dimples, Joe, even when she's cryin'. The prettiest girl in the notions, she was; and I--I been so scared for her, Joe. Why did you keep us waitin' and waitin'?”
”Me and the little girl was slow in getting here, ma; but we--we're here for good now--ain't we, little lady? Little lady with the hair just like ma's!”
”She gets it from me, Joe. Her papa used to say her hair was like the copper tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs of his machines. Such machines he kept, Joe! His boss told me hisself they were just like looking-gla.s.ses, Essie, come closer, darlin'. You won't forget the lamp-mat, will you, darlin'--the lamp-mat?”
”Oh no, ma. Oh, Gawd! Ma, you ain't mad at me? Please--please! Honest, ma, your little Essie didn't know.”
”Ma knows we didn't know, little lady. She ain't mad at us. She's glad that everything's going to be all right now; and you and her and Jimmie and me are--”
”Oh, my children!”
She smiled and slipped her fingers between her daughter's face and the coverlet.
”Look up, Essie! I feel so light! I feel so light! It's like it says on the lamp-mat--just like it says, Essie.”
”Ma! Ma darlin', open your eyes!”
”Ma!”
”Here, Jimmie, lend a hand! Lemme hold her up--so! No; don't give her any more of that black stuff, Jimmie, old man. Wait till the doctor comes. Let her lie quiet on my arm--just like that; and hand me that ammonia-bottle there, Essie, like a sweet little lady. See there! She's coming round all right. Who says she ain't coming to? Now, ma--now!”
”Joe, don't leggo me!”
”Sure I won't, ma dearie.”
She warmed to life slightly, and the tears seeped through her closed eyes, and she felt of his supporting arm down the length of his sleeve.
”Joe! Essie, that you?”
”Ma darlin', we're all here.”
”Don't cry, little lady. See, she's coming out of it all right. Here, gimme a lift, Jimmie. See there! She's got her breath all right again.”
They laid her back on the pillow, and she folded her hands lightly, ever so lightly, like lilies, one atop the other.
”Children! Children, I'm ready.”
”Ready for what, ma? Some more black medicine?”
”Just _ready_, Jimmie, my boy! Here, Joe; hold my hand. It's like his was, children--big and strong.”