Part 10 (1/2)
”Indeed she would!” began the child, blus.h.i.+ng with pleasure; for the poor lady needed just such delicacies, but thought only of the children's wants.
Waiting to hear no more, Abby ran in to get her offering, and came back beaming with benevolent good-will.
”As it is not far and you have that big basket, I'll go with you and help carry the things, if I may? My mother will let me, and my father will come and see you, I'm sure, if you'd like to have him. He takes care of everybody, and is the best and wisest man in all the world.”
Lucy Mayhew accepted these kind offers with childish confidence, thinking the young lady a sort of angel in a coal-scuttle bonnet, and the two went chatting along, good friends at once; for Abby had most engaging manners, and her cheerful face won its way everywhere.
She found the English family a very interesting one, for the mother was a gentlewoman, and in sore straits now,--being unable to use her accomplishments any longer, and failing fast, with no friends to protect the four little children she must soon leave alone in a strange land.
”If _they_ were only cared for, I could go in peace; but it breaks my heart to think of them in an asylum, when they need a home,” said the poor lady, telling her greatest anxiety to this sympathetic young visitor; while Lucy regaled the noses of the eager little ones with delicious sniffs of the pink and blue hyacinths.
”Tell father all about it, and he'll know just what to do. He always does, and every one goes to him. May he come and see you, ma'am?” said Abby, longing to take them all home at once.
”He will be as welcome as an angel from Heaven, my child. I am failing very fast, and help and comfort are sorely needed,” answered the grateful woman, with wet eyes and a heart too full for many thanks.
Abby's eyes were full also, and promising to ”send father soon,” she went away, little dreaming that the handful of flowers and a few kind words were the first links in a chain of events that brought a blessing into her own home.
She waited anxiously for her father's return, and blushed with pleasure as he said, after examining her morning's work:--
”Wonderfully well done, my dear! Your mother says she couldn't have done it better herself.”
”I'm sorry that it shows at all; but it was impossible to hide that corner, and if you wear it on the inside of the leg, it won't be seen much,” explained Abby, anxiously.
”It shows just enough for me to know where to point when I boast of my girl's patience and skill. People say I'm making a blue-stocking of you, because we read Johnson; but my black stocking will prove that I haven't spoiled you yet,” said Mr. Lyon, pinching her cheek, as they went down to dinner arm in arm.
Literary ladies were looked upon with awe, and by many with disapproval, in those days; so Abby's studious tastes were criticised by the good cousins and aunts, who feared she might do something peculiar; though, years later, they were very proud of the fine letters she wrote, and the intellectual society which she had unconsciously fitted herself to enjoy and adorn.
Abby laughed at her father's joke, but said no more just then; for young people sat silent at table while their elders talked. She longed to tell about Lucy; and when dessert came, she drew her chair near to her father's, that she might pick the kernels from his walnuts and drop them into his wine, waiting till he said, as usual: ”Now, little girl, let's take comfort.” For both enjoyed the hour of rest he allowed himself in the middle of the day.
On this occasion he varied the remark by adding, as he took a bill from his pocket-book and gave it to her with a kiss: ”Well-earned money, my dear, and most cheerfully paid.”
”Thank you, sir! It seems a great deal for such a small job. But I _do_ want it very much. May I tell you how I'd like to spend it, father?”
cried Abby, beaming with the sweet delight of helping others.
”Yes, child; come and tell me. Something for sister, I suspect; or a new book, perhaps.” And, drawing her to his knee, Mr. Lyon waited with a face full of benignant interest in her little confidences.
She told her story eagerly and well, exclaiming as she ended: ”And now, I'm so glad, so very glad, I have this money, all my own, to spend for those dear little things! I know you'll help them; but it's so nice to be able to do my part, and giving away is such a pleasure.”
”You are your father's own daughter in that, child. I must go and get my contribution ready, or I shall be left out,” said Mrs. Lyon, hastening away to add one more charity to the many which made her quiet life so beautiful.
”I will go and see our neighbor this evening, and you shall come with me. You see, my girl, that the homely 'little job' is likely to be a large and pleasant one, and you have earned your part in it. Do the duty that comes first, and one never knows what beautiful experience it may blossom into. Use your earnings as you like, and G.o.d bless you, my dear.”
So Abby had her part in the happy days that came to the Mayhews, and enjoyed it more than a dozen work-boxes; while her father was never tired of showing the handsome darn and telling the story of it.
Help and comfort were much needed around the corner; for very soon the poor lady died. But her confidence in the new friends raised up to her was not misplaced; and when all was over, and people asked, ”What will become of the children?” Mr. Lyon answered the sad question by leading the four little orphans to his own house, and keeping them till good homes were found for the three youngest.
Lucy was heart-broken, and clung to Abby in her sorrow, as if nothing else could console her for all she had lost. No one had the heart to speak of sending her away at present; and, before long, the grateful little creature had won a place for herself which she never forfeited.
It was good for Abby to have a care of this sort, and her generous nature enjoyed it thoroughly, as she played elder sister in the sweetest way. It was her first real lesson in the charity that made her after-life so rich and beautiful; but then she little dreamed how well she was to be repaid for her small share in the good work which proved to be a blessing to them all.
Soon, preparations for sister Catharine's wedding produced a pleasant bustle in the house, and both the younger girls were as busy as bees, helping everywhere. Dressmakers ripped and st.i.tched upstairs, visitors gossiped in the parlor, and cooks simmered and scolded in the kitchen; while notable Madam Lyon presided over the household, keeping the peace and gently bringing order out of chaos.