Part 14 (1/2)
During the same period she had become unquestionably ent.i.tled to the gold medals of the Lifeboat Inst.i.tution and the Humane Society, having, with reckless courage, at the imminent risk of her life, and on innumerable occasions, saved that baby from death by drowning in washtubs and kennels, from mutilation by hot water, fire, and steam, and from sudden extinction by the wheels of cabs, carriages, and drays, while, at the same time she had established a fair claim to at least the honorary diploma of the Royal College of Surgeons, by her amazing practice in the treatment of bruises and cuts, and the application of sticking-plaster.
”Have you got a father or mother, my dear?” asked the letter-carrier.
”Yes, sir; I've got both of 'em. And oh! I'm so miserable. I don't know what to do.”
”Why, what's wrong with you?”
The child's eyes filled with tears as she told how her father had gone off ”on the spree;” how her mother had gone out to seek him, promising to be back in time to relieve her of the baby so as to let her keep an appointment she had with a lady; and how the mother had never come back, and didn't seem to be coming back; and how the time for the engagement was already past, and she feared the lady would think she was an ungrateful little liar, and she had no messenger to send to her.
”Where does the lady live, and what's her name, little woman?” asked Solomon.
”Her name is Miss Lillycrop, sir, and she lives in Pimlico.”
”Well, make your mind easy, little woman. It's a curious coincidence that I happen to know Miss Lillycrop. Her house lies rather far from my beat, but I happen to have a messenger who does his work both cheaply and quickly. I do a deal of work for him too, so, no doubt, he'll do a little for me. His name is Post-Office.--What is your's, my dear?”
”Tottie Bones,” replied the child, with the air of a full-grown woman.
”An' please, sir, tell 'er I meant to go back to her at the end of three days, as I promised; but I couldn't leave the 'ouse with baby inside, an' the fire, an' the kittle, with n.o.body to take care on 'em--could I, sir?”
”Cer'nly not, little woman,” returned the letter-carrier, with a solemn look at the overburdened creature who appealed to him. Giving her twopence, and a kindly nod, Solomon Flint walked smartly away--with a reproving conscience--to make up for lost time.
That evening Mrs Bones returned without her husband, but with an additional black eye, and other signs of bad treatment. She found the baby sound asleep, and Tottie in the same condition by his side, on the outside of the poor counterpane, with one arm round her charge, and her hair tumbled in confusion over him. She had evidently been herself overcome while in the act of putting the baby to sleep.
Mrs Bones rushed to the bed, seized Tottie, clasped her tightly to her bosom, sat down on a stool, and began to rock herself to and fro.
The child, nothing loath to receive such treatment, awoke sufficiently to be able to throw her arms round her mother's neck, fondled her for a moment, and then sank again into slumber.
”Oh! G.o.d help me! G.o.d save my Abel from drink and bad men!” exclaimed the poor woman, in a voice of suppressed agony.
It seemed as if her prayer had been heard, for at that moment the door opened and a tall thin man entered. He was the man who had accosted George Aspel on his first visit to that region.
”You've not found him, I fear?” he said kindly, as he drew a stool near to Mrs Bones and sat down, while Tottie, who had been re-awakened by his entrance, began to bustle about the room with something of the guilty feeling of a sentry who has been found sleeping at his post.
”Yes, Mr Sterling; thank you kindly for the interest you take in 'im.
I found 'im at the old place, but 'e knocked me down an' went out, an'
I've not been able to find 'im since.”
”Well, take comfort, Molly,” said the city missionary, for such he was; ”I've just seen him taken up by the police and carried to the station as drunk and incapable. That, you know, will not bring him to very great trouble, and I have good reason to believe it will be the means of saving him from much worse.”
He glanced at the little girl as he spoke.
”Tottie, dear,” said Mrs Bones, ”you go out for a minute or two; I want to speak with Mr Sterling.”
”Yes, mother, and I'll run round to the bank; I've got twopence more to put in,” said Tottie as she went out.
”Your lesson has not been lost, sir,” said the poor woman, with a faint smile; ”Tottie has a good bit o' money in the penny savings-bank now.
She draws some of it out every time Abel brings us to the last gasp, but we don't let 'im know w'ere it comes from. To be sure, 'e don't much care. She's a dear child is Tottie.”
”Thank the Lord for _that_, Molly. He is already answering our prayers,” said Mr Sterling. ”Just trust Him, keep up heart, and persevere; we're _sure_ to win at last.”