Mother Meg Part 27

"I'm afraid--" said the doctor, glancing up at her and stopping short.

Meg looked yearningly into the little face.

"I think I was told he is not your own child?"

"No," answered Meg; "they are our adopted children."

"What puzzled me was that his sister said his name was d.i.c.kie Seymour."

"So it is," said Meg, as if this were a new thought to her. "How strange I did not think of that; but he is no relation."

"The best thing for him would be to go into the country," said the doctor, considering; "but I suppose that is out of the question. Even then I doubt if he will ever--"

Meg looked at him startled.

"Do you mean that I am going to lose him?" she asked, not knowing how to put it so that d.i.c.kie should not understand and be troubled.

"No, no," said the doctor quickly, putting his hand in explanation to his own eyes. "But it would be a great thing to improve his health."

"I will think it over," said Meg, her thoughts instantly flying to her own dear mother and the little rose-covered cottage at home.

"Now, my little man, let me have a look into your eyes. Don't be afraid; I'm not going to hurt you much."

He proceeded to open the lids, in spite of d.i.c.kie's wail of pain; while Cherry stood by trembling, having well understood the tenor of the foregoing conversation.

"It _does_ hurt me," said d.i.c.kie, trying to draw away.

"Ah, well," said the doctor, letting him go; "time will show. Can you see me now, or your sister?"

But d.i.c.kie only buried his head in Meg's bosom, and would not be persuaded to try.

Just as the doctor was going out at the door he turned back and addressed Cherry.

"My little girl, are you old enough to have left school?"

"Yes, sir; I pa.s.sed all the Standards just before mother died."

"Indeed?--and what are you thinking of turning your hand to?"

"Anything I can get," answered Cherry, blus.h.i.+ng.

"Because the girl who used to clean my steps every morning has gone to a regular place, and I want some one else. Would you like to do it?"

[Ill.u.s.tration: Cherry went up-stairs to see if Mrs. Seymour should want her to do anything before she went to bed.--p. 195.]

"Very much, sir," she answered, smiling.

"My servants are busy just then, and I do not like my steps to be cleaned after eight o'clock. You see, my house being a doctor's, people begin to come early."

"I could be there as early as you like, sir," said Cherry, looking towards Meg for confirmation.

"Yes," answered Meg, "and I'm much obliged to you for thinking of her, sir."

"Oh, as to that, she may as well have it as any one else. It is two s.h.i.+llings a week, and not very hard work."

After arranging that Cherry should begin the next morning, he bade them good day, and went off to finish his rounds.

"Oh, mother-Meg, did you ever think I could have anything so nice?"

asked Cherry, kneeling down by her side, and laying her head on d.i.c.kie's lap.

"No, indeed," answered Meg, "we must not forget to thank Him who has sent it to us, Cherry. How kind G.o.d is to us!"

Cherry did not answer in words, but she was very quiet for a long while, looking soberly into the fire.

Presently d.i.c.kie, concluding that the doctor was gone, and that he need have no further fear of molestation, put up his little hand to stroke Meg's face.

"Well, dear?" she said inquiringly, for there was a question on his lips.

"Mo'ver-Meg, did the doctor say as you was goin' to _lose_ me?"

"No, dearie, he did not think I should," said Meg, soothingly.

"'Cause he _said_ so," persisted d.i.c.kie.

"He didn't mean that," answered Meg softly; "and even if he had, d.i.c.kie, those who love Jesus can never be really lost."

"I 'ove Jesus," said d.i.c.kie, considering, "and so do Cherry."

"I'm sure you do; and to those who love Him He says, 'No man is able to pluck them out of My hand.' When once we are in the care of Jesus, nothing shall ever drag us away from that."

"Is that why Jesus has sent me to you, mo'ver-Meg?"

"I expect it is, d.i.c.kie; He's been very good to you."

d.i.c.kie smiled happily, then started up expectantly.

"There's fa'ver-Jem!" he exclaimed.

"So it is," cried Meg.

Even then he did not attempt to look, but sat in an att.i.tude of suppressed excitement, till Jem really came in and shut the door.

"Where's my secret?" asked d.i.c.kie eagerly.

"Let me speak to Meg first," answered Jem, coming to his wife's side and kissing her.

"Well, sweetheart, the room don't look like the same with you out of it, that's certain!"