Part 13 (2/2)

One day, however, there came an interruption to her peace. Lucy, the maid, arrived with a message to know when Hetty would be able and willing to return to the Hall.

Mrs. Kane was out and Hetty was sitting in the sun at the back-garden door with one of John Kane's huge worsted stockings pulled over one little hand, while she darned away at it with the other. At sight of Lucy her pride instantly waked up within her and rose in arms. Hetty stared in dismay at smart flippant Lucy, and felt the old bad feelings rush back on her. Tears started to her eyes as she saw all her lately acquired goodness flying away down the garden path, as it seemed to her, and out at the little garden gate.

”I don't think I am ready to go yet,” said she; ”but I will write to Mrs. Enderby myself. Would you like to see Scamp, Lucy? He has grown so fat and looks so well.”

Hetty could not resist saying this little triumphant word about the dog. However, Lucy was ready with a retort.

”I suppose he was used to cottages,” she said. ”People generally do best with what they have been accustomed to.”

Hetty's ears burned with the implied taunt to herself, but she said with great dignity:

”You can go now, Lucy. I don't think I have anything more to say to you.”

And Lucy found herself willing to go, though she had intended saying a great many more sharp things to the child, whom she, like Grant, regarded as an impertinent little upstart.

That evening Hetty made a tremendous effort and wrote a letter to Mrs.

Enderby.

”Deer Madam,--My foot is well, but Mrs. Kane is making me good and I would like to stay with her. I am sorry for Badness and giving trubbel.

I could lern to work and be Mrs. Kane's child.

Yours obeedyentley, HETTY.”

Mr. and Mrs. Enderby smiled over this letter together that evening.

”Poor little monkey,” said the former, ”there is more in her than I imagined. But what spelling for a girl of her age!”

”Might it not do to allow her to stay where she is, coming up here for lessons, and to walk occasionally with the girls?”

”I do not like the idea of it,” said Mr. Enderby. ”I would rather she stayed here and went as often as she pleased to see her early friends.

It is evident they have a good influence upon her. Yet it would not be fair to let her grow up with their manners if she is to earn her bread among people of a higher cla.s.s.”

So when Mrs. Enderby went next day to visit Hetty she was firm in her decision that the little girl should return to the Hall. She discovered Hetty busy sweeping up the cottage hearth in her gingham blouse. Hetty dropped her broom and hung her head.

”I was pleased to get your letter, Hetty. I am glad you are sorry for what occurred.”

”I am sorry,” said the little girl looking up frankly. ”I am very sorry while I am here. But I might not be so sorry up at the Hall. The sorryness went away when I saw Lucy. Afterwards it came back when Mrs.

Kane came in.”

”And that is why you want to stay here? Because Mrs. Kane makes you feel good? It is an excellent reason; but why can you not learn to be good at the Hall too? What has Mrs. Kane done to make you good?”

”Oh! she loves me, for one thing,” said Hetty; ”and then she makes me pray to G.o.d. I never heard about G.o.d at Mrs. Rushton's; and Miss Davis always told me I made him angry. Mrs. Kane's G.o.d is so kind. I would like to make him fond of me.”

”You have a strange startling way of saying things, Hetty. You must try and be more like other children. Mrs. Kane's G.o.d is mine, and yours, and every one's, and we must all try to please him. But if you like her way of speaking of him you can come here as often as you please and talk to Mrs. Kane.”

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