1 files changed, 7257 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/28441.txt b/28441.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8a78ff7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/28441.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7257 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Modern Cinderella, by Amanda M. Douglas
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: A Modern Cinderella
+
+Author: Amanda M. Douglas
+
+Release Date: March 29, 2009 [EBook #28441]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A MODERN CINDERELLA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Canada Team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+A MODERN CINDERELLA
+
+BY
+
+AMANDA M. DOUGLAS
+
+AUTHOR OF "THE GIRLS AT MT. MORRIS," "SHERBURNE SERIES,"
+"A LITTLE GIRL SERIES."
+
+ETC.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+M. A. DONOHUE & CO.
+
+CHICAGO
+
+
+
+
+Made in U. S. A.
+
+
+
+
+A MODERN CINDERELLA
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+AT THE PALACE
+
+
+"You may stay down here until nine o'clock if you like," said Bridget.
+"It's awful cold upstairs. Be sure to wrap yourself good in the old
+blanket. And put a little coal on the range. If you let my fire go
+out, I'll skin you alive."
+
+When Marilla first heard that threat she shuddered all over. If you
+scratched a little bit of skin off it hurt dreadfully. But Bridget
+never did it. Sometimes she hit her a slap on the shoulder. She
+couldn't even bear to skin a rabbit. "What do you mean by it?" Marilla
+gained courage to ask once, when she came to feel at home.
+
+"Oh, I don't know. My mother used to say it. Sometimes she took a
+strap to us, but she wasn't ever real hard."
+
+Marilla knew about the strap in Bethany Home though she didn't often
+get it.
+
+"I'll remember about the fire."
+
+"Good night!" Bridget was off.
+
+She always took two or three evenings out in the week and had Sunday
+afternoon instead of Thursday because they had late dinners during the
+week. She was very excellent help, so Mrs. Borden let her have her own
+way.
+
+It was nice and warm in the kitchen; clean, too. Bridget couldn't
+abide a dirty kitchen. Marilla had wiped the dishes, scoured out the
+sink and set the chairs straight around. It was a basement kitchen
+with a dining room above. The front was the furnace cellar, the middle
+for vegetables and what Bridget called truck.
+
+Marilla sat in the little old rocking chair and put her feet on the
+oven hearth. It was very nice to rock to and fro and no babies to tend
+nor Jack to bother with. She sang a few hymns she knew, she said over
+several, little poems she had learned and spelled a few words. Bridget
+had turned the gas low, and she couldn't reach it without getting on
+a chair or she could have read. So she told herself a story that she
+had read.
+
+It was very comfortable. She was getting a bit sleepy. Suppose she
+took a teeny nap as she did sometimes when she was waiting for
+Bridget. So she shook up the old cushion, brought up the stool, sat on
+that and laid her head in the chair. And now she wasn't a bit sleepy.
+She thought of the stove and put on some coal, lest she _might_ fall
+asleep.
+
+She hoped it would be warmer tomorrow when she took out the twins.
+Then she would venture to stop at the book store window and look at
+the pictures on the magazine covers. There was a baby that looked so
+like the twins it made her laugh. She didn't think the twins pretty at
+all. They had round chubby faces and almost round eyes, and mouths
+that looked as if they were just ready to whistle, and brown fuzzy
+hair without a bit of curl in it. But they _were_ good, "as good as
+kittens," their mother said. She did so wish she had a kitten. She had
+brought such a pretty one from the store one day, a real maltese with
+black whiskers, but Bridget said she couldn't have a cat forever
+round under her feet and made her take it back.
+
+Jack was past five and very pretty, but bad as he could be. Bridget
+said he was a "holy terror," but she thought holiness was goodness and
+didn't see the connection. He was a terror, that any one could see.
+
+There was a queer shady look in the corners. She wasn't a bit afraid.
+The children at Bethany Home weren't allowed to be. She liked this a
+great deal better. She wasn't compelled to eat her whole breakfast off
+of oatmeal, and always had such lovely desserts for dinner. And
+sometimes Mrs. Borden gave her and Jack a banana or a bit of candy.
+Oh, yes, she would much rather live here even if Jack was bad and
+pinched her occasionally though his mother slapped him for it, or
+pinched him back real hard.
+
+What made this lovely, rosy, golden light in the room? It was like a
+soft sunset. She had been saying over a lot of Mother Goose rhymes; of
+course she was too old for such nonsense and Jack didn't like them.
+And in "One, two, buckle my shoe," she wondered which she liked best:
+"Nineteen, twenty, my stomach's empty," or "nineteen, twenty, I've
+got a plenty." That was Bethany Home where you only had so much for
+supper and one little cracker. And here there was plenty. It made her
+laugh.
+
+And then suddenly there was a pretty little woman in the room dressed
+in something soft and shining and in her hand she held a stick with a
+bunch of gay bows at the end. She was so sweet and smiling that
+Marilla couldn't feel afraid.
+
+"You don't know me, Cinderella?" she began, looking at the child.
+
+"Oh, that isn't my name."
+
+"You don't sit in the ashes any more but I dare say you brush up and
+carry them out in the morning. But I don't find Cinderellas often at
+this time of night."
+
+"I wish I was Cinderella. I have a little foot though, only it don't
+look so in these big brogans. I put some soles inside of them, bits of
+velvet carpet and they keep my feet nice and warm. I do think if the
+glass slipper wasn't too teeny weeny I could wear it."
+
+"You're a cute one. About the soles, now. Most children haven't any
+useful ideas," and she laughed. "I knew who you were; now can you
+guess who I am?"
+
+"Why if I was Cinderella you'd be a fairy godmother. But there ain't
+any such things; nor Santa Claus. I like the stories about 'em and I'm
+awful sorry. I'm only Mrs. Borden's bound-out girl, but I like it
+here."
+
+"You think so?" She gave the most curious, delightful laugh. "You are
+Cinderella and I am the fairy godmother."
+
+Marilla sprang up and studied her. She was so pretty and her gown
+looked as if it was sprinkled with diamond dust. She had never seen
+any one like her, but at twelve her range of observation had been
+rather limited.
+
+"Well, what do you think of me?"
+
+Marilla stood wide eyed and speechless.
+
+"Why--you are very beautiful. Oh, I wish you were a fairy godmother!
+I'd like to go to fairy land. I don't think any one would mind much,
+but I do believe the twins would care. Bridget says there isn't any
+such thing and then she tells about a little girl who was toted away
+and had to stay seven years."
+
+"You couldn't stay that long, and times have changed, and you have no
+envious sisters. You're a rather lonely little body with no father or
+mother."
+
+"Oh, how did you know that?"
+
+She laughed, the softest, merriest laugh.
+
+Marilla looked and looked, the little body was so sweet and
+mysterious.
+
+"Oh, fairy godmothers know a great many things. They keep watch over
+the Cinderellas and then when they find one to their liking they
+appear to her, and then strange things happen."
+
+"Yes they are strange," said the little girl.
+
+"Would you like to go to the ball?"
+
+"Oh! Why I'm afraid I wouldn't know what to do," hesitatingly, "I've
+never seen a ball."
+
+"You can dance. I saw you dancing with an organ grinder."
+
+"Oh, yes, I can dance that way, but----"
+
+"Would you like to go?"
+
+"Oh, wouldn't I!" Marilla's eyes shone with delight. "If you were a
+fairy godmother you could put me in some clothes."
+
+Marilla didn't believe in it at all, but it was very funny.
+
+"Then just step out here."
+
+She did with the strangest sort of feeling. The fairy touched her with
+the wand. Her clothes fell in a heap. The big shoes dropped off. There
+was a shimmery pink silk frock with lace and ribbons and the daintiest
+pink kid slippers with diamond buckles and pink silk stockings with
+lovely clocks. She went dancing around the kitchen light as a feather,
+her eyes shining, her cheeks like roses, her lips full of smiles. She
+was fairly bewitched.
+
+"You'll do," exclaimed godmother, and she threw a beautiful white
+cloak about her.
+
+"But we haven't a pumpkin in the house and Bridget catches all the
+mice and burns them up. So you can't make a carriage----"
+
+"There's one at the door." The hall seemed all alight and they went
+out. Yes, there was a coach with lamps on both sides, two horses and a
+driver, besides a footman who helped them in with a fine air, and
+drove off as gay as if it was Christmas night, though it were really
+March.
+
+The streets were alight, the windows shining in splendor. Marilla had
+never seen anything like it. Presently they stopped at what seemed to
+the little girl a great palace with broad white marble steps and tall
+carved columns lighted by myriads of colored lights and the vestibule
+was hung with vines. There were statues standing round that looked
+like real people only they were so white from top to toe. Then they
+went up another beautiful stairway that led to a gallery where there
+were numbers of inviting little rooms, and throngs of elegantly
+dressed people, not any larger than boys and girls. A maid took off
+their wraps, and brushed Marilla's hair and it fell in golden rings
+all over her head.
+
+"What beautiful hair," she exclaimed, "just like threads of silk. You
+must let it grow long. And such lovely eyes; but she's thin."
+
+"Yes, rather," said godmother, "But she has dancing feet. She's a real
+Cinderella."
+
+"There's so many of them and only one Prince. What a pity!"
+
+"But each has her turn, and they are very happy."
+
+Then Marilla glanced around the gallery. That was well lighted and had
+a cushioned seat against the wall. Groups were sitting together or
+rambling about. And a great circular room, down stairs lighted by a
+magnificent chandelier whose prisms seemed in constant motion and
+rayed off every imaginable color with a faint musical sound.
+
+"Oh! oh! oh!" and her eyes were full of tears though her lips smiled.
+
+"Now we will go down," said godmother.
+
+That was by another way. But this place was a perfect land of delight.
+She had never read of anything like it, but the Arabian Nights had not
+come in her way. Some were dancing about informally, some talking and
+laughing. There were the most elegantly attired boys in silks and
+velvets made in all pretty fashions. Silk stockings and light colored
+pumps, jackets trimmed with frills of lace, some with satin trousers
+wide enough for petticoats at the bottom and blue velvet sailor
+collars. There was no end of fancy attire.
+
+"This is to be your knight, Sir Aldred. And this is the new
+Cinderella. Take good care of her until the Prince comes."
+
+He bowed with most enchanting grace.
+
+"There are so many of them!" he said, as he took her hand, "But she is
+the prettiest of them all."
+
+The knight gave her hand a little squeeze and she turned rosy red.
+
+"Come this way," and he led her along. It was odd to be introduced as
+Cinderella, but everybody was so sweet and cordial that she kept
+smiling and bowing.
+
+Presently a cluster of bells sounded and everybody fell into line
+along the outer edge of the beautiful building. It was a grand march
+and the tapping of the feet seemed like an encore to the music. Then
+the first couple stepped out on the floor. Everybody dances in fairy
+land that is presided over by godmothers. Oh, it was just enchanting!
+
+"Are you tired?" Sir Aldred asked presently.
+
+"Oh, no, I never imagined anything so utterly delightful. And the
+splendid dressing. Are there many Cinderellas here?" a little
+timidly.
+
+"Oh, yes. They love to come, but the new one always dances with the
+Prince. He will come in presently for you."
+
+"Oh, I shall feel afraid." She really felt tears rushing to her eyes.
+
+"No, you will not, for he is truly most delightful, a regular Prince
+Charming. You see, it is different in fairy land. You forget for
+awhile who you have been. That's the charm of it. And you're such a
+lovely dancer."
+
+"And--and--is there any glass slipper?"
+
+She seemed to remember something about that.
+
+"That's in the story. The Prince isn't looking for a wife now. And you
+couldn't dance in a stiff glass slipper. It might shiver to pieces.
+What pretty little feet you have! And such a lovely curly head."
+
+It seemed quite delightful to be praised and she was glad she pleased
+him.
+
+Then there was a curious quivering about the place as if every one was
+drawing a long breath, and the lights were mysterious, while all the
+little bells twinkled. And there stood the Prince.
+
+He was taller than any of the others and very handsome. As for his
+attire, I couldn't begin to describe it, it was so resplendent with
+silk and velvet and jewels.
+
+Sir Aldred led the little lady up to him and said: "This is
+Cinderella."
+
+The Prince bowed and pressed a kiss upon her hand and she was glad it
+was lily white and not rough and red.
+
+"I am very glad you are here Cinderella, I hope you will have a happy
+time. You look so."
+
+"Oh I know I shall." She blushed and cast her eyes down in such a
+sweet fashion that he really longed to kiss the lids.
+
+Then the music commenced and they stepped out as if they had danced
+together all their lives. The others formed a circle and went round
+them, bowing as they passed. There were such fascinating figures,
+changing frequently, each one prettier than the last. She wondered how
+they could remember; how _she_ could do it. They all looked so lovely.
+It certainly was fairy land.
+
+Now and then the Prince bent over and said something charming to her
+as if she had been a fine lady and the odd thing was that she could
+answer him readily. The music began to go slower and died in softest
+melody. Then he turned and said--
+
+"Now we will go out and have some refreshments. You must be tired
+after all this dancing, but you don't look it at all."
+
+"Oh, I feel as if I could dance all night. I believe I am bewitched."
+
+He gave her the sweetest smile that any Cinderella ever had.
+
+"I am very glad. Sometimes they think of the ashes and cinders and
+wonder whether the pleasure will last. Then the lightness goes out of
+their feet and the smiles from their rosy lips. The thing is to enjoy
+it while you are here. You are a very delightful Cinderella; I must
+ask godmother to keep a watch over you. I hope to meet you again."
+
+The banquet room was beautiful as well; there was a great oval table
+with a chandelier shedding a thousand lights from the gorgeous prisms.
+Underneath was a tiny lake full of blooming water lilies. There were
+mounds of fruit and flowers, nuts from all over the world, piles of
+cake, candied fruit, ices made in all kinds of shape. The most
+beautiful plates and dishes, glass and crystal and servants piling up
+dainties and pouring out fragrant drinks.
+
+At the head sat the Prince and Cinderella. He rose and drank to her
+health and good fortune with the most exquisite verse and Sir Aldred
+returned with a charming reply. Certainly there were no envious or
+jealous sisters. Every one was so merry and talked with his or her
+neighbor, and every girl had a knight who was devoted to her. Were
+they all Cinderellas, and had the Prince been as delightful to them?
+Every face beamed with wondrous satisfaction.
+
+"But I don't understand it at all," and she glanced up wonderingly.
+
+"Oh, you don't have to in fairy land. You just take all the pleasure
+that comes. You are not thinking of all the tomorrows. There will be
+something nice and pleasant if you look for it in the right place. For
+little Cinderella, we must not be looking for tomorrow's joy. You
+cannot find them tonight. There are flowers that fold their leaves but
+will open again tomorrow. You would be short sighted to sit down and
+cry tonight about it."
+
+Marilla was a good deal puzzled.
+
+"You must be a happy little Cinderella when you have been to fairy
+land. You must not lose faith in fairy godmothers. They come at
+unexpected times and in different guise. And that is what keeps the
+world bright and the heart young, and sometime the real Prince
+comes."
+
+Her heart beat with a mysterious joy. She was full of gladness.
+
+Then they walked around and all the other Cinderellas seemed so happy
+when he smiled and spoke to them. The beautiful music went on. Here
+and there groups were dancing again.
+
+And then it seemed as if a giant caught her and almost shook her to
+pieces, and the beautiful lights wavered and vanished. She was brought
+upon her feet with a force that would have shivered any glass
+slipper.
+
+"You little huzzy! What are you doing up this time of night, instead
+of asleep in bed? Rouse up! rouse up! Lucky you didn't let my fire go
+out this cold night! Come, hustle!"
+
+There seemed a sort of crash. Marilla glanced around with half-opened
+eyes. Yes, this was the old kitchen. There was Bridget with the
+lighted end of a candle in the tin candlestick.
+
+"Come! get along, sleepy head." She gave her a push up the stairs and
+through the halls, half scolding her but not cross. "It's a wonder the
+gobble sirs didn't come after you. If you'd been carried off now! It's
+awful cold. I'd sleep in my stockings and they'll be good and warm in
+the morning."
+
+Marilla hustled off her clothes, wrapped herself in an old blanket and
+tumbled into bed in a little heap. But there was some mysterious music
+floating through her brain and a fragrance in the air. The Prince
+smiled down into her eyes, and the fairy godmother she should always
+believe in. For she had been to real fairy land; that was the truth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+JACK
+
+
+The Bordens were nice, ordinary people enjoying life in a commonplace
+way. There was Mr. Jack Borden, the junior partner in a fairly
+successful law firm, his wife an averagely nice, sensible body, Miss
+Florence, her husband's sister, a bright girl of three and twenty,
+whose lover was in South America on a five years' contract, with one
+year yet to serve.
+
+After the twins were born they tried a grown nursemaid who bored them
+by sitting around when she was upstairs and making many excuses to get
+down to the kitchen, where she disputed with Bridget who declared one
+or the other of them must go, and they simply could not give up
+Bridget. The babies slept a good deal of the time and only cried when
+they were hungry. The mother and aunt thought them the dearest things
+and their father was as proud of them as a man could well be. If it
+wasn't for giving them an airing now and then--but when it came
+pleasant weather they _must_ be taken out.
+
+Aunt Hetty Vanderveer who was queer and going on to eighty, who
+couldn't live with a relative for they always wanted to borrow her
+money, got tangled up in a house on which she had a mortgage, and
+called her grandnephew, Mr. John Borden to her rescue. She took the
+house and persuaded them to come there, and she would live with them
+on certain conditions. She was to have the third floor front room and
+the store room, get her breakfast and tea and take dinner with them
+though it was their luncheon. Night dinners she despised. She
+entertained herself sewing patchwork, a dressmaker sent her bags of
+silk pieces; knitting baby socks and stockings and reading novels.
+They did get along very well though it made a good deal of running up
+and down.
+
+The spare room and Bridget's room was on this floor. On the second,
+two sleeping chambers, the nursery and the bath. Down stairs a long
+parlor and a dining room, with a basement kitchen which Bridget
+declared she liked above all things. A woman came to do the washing
+and ironing, Bridget's nephew took out the ashes and swept the stoop
+and sidewalk. Bridget was a strong, healthy, good natured Irish woman
+when you didn't meddle with her, and the ladies were very glad not to
+meddle. But some one for the babies they must have.
+
+One day a friend came in for a subscription to some of her charities
+and heard the appeal.
+
+"Now, I'll tell you just what to do," she said "Go over to the Bethany
+Home, you take the car out to the Melincourt Road that passes it. Ask
+for Mrs. Johnson. They have two girls; they put them out when they are
+twelve. And since you only want some one to amuse the babies and take
+them out, and she will be growing older all the time, you see, you can
+bring her up in your ways. Yes, that is what I'd do."
+
+Mrs. Borden followed the advice. There was a stout, rather vacant
+looking German girl, a good worker who delighted in scrubbing and
+scouring and who would make an excellent kitchen maid. The other was
+Marilla Bond, an orphan with no relatives that any one knew; a fair,
+nice looking intelligent child, with light curly hair cropped close,
+rather slim, and with a certain ready, alert look that was
+attractive.
+
+Mrs. Borden brought her home for a month's trial. She took to the
+babies at once, and Jack took to her. Oddly enough, so did Bridget.
+She had such a quaint sweet way of saying, "Yes'm" and "No'm;" she did
+what she was told to do with alacrity, she ran up and down stairs on
+numberless errands. She was a very good reader and at first, Jack kept
+her busy in this respect. But she wanted to hear about lions and
+tigers and men killing them and Indian fights and matters that didn't
+please the little girl at all. Mother Goose was babyish.
+
+The twins sat on a blanket on the floor and sometimes rolled around a
+little. She played with them, talked to them and they really listened
+to the stories that she acted off and laughed gleefully.
+
+"They certainly _are_ intelligent," Aunt Florence said with pride.
+
+On nice sunny days when it was not very cold she took them out in the
+carriage. They were carried down and put in it, then brought up
+again. Their mother "wasn't going to have any nurse breaking their
+backs by a fall."
+
+So when the month of probation was ended, Marilla was bound to Mr. and
+Mrs. John Borden, to be clothed and fed and sent to school for half a
+year. She really did like her new home. Only if it wasn't for Jack! He
+pinched her sometimes, and once he kicked her but his mother gave him
+a good trouncing.
+
+The twins had some bread and milk and were put to bed at six. Then
+Cinderella went down stairs but not to sit in the ashes. She did
+numerous things for Bridget and they had a cozy dinner together,
+always a dessert, and they were so good.
+
+"If Jack only wouldn't run away," she said. "You see I can't leave the
+babies, and I am so afraid he will get lost."
+
+"Let him get lost then; that'll bring his mother to her senses, and
+you tell her."
+
+He did come near it one day. She took the babies home and explained
+and then said she would go and find him.
+
+Aunt Florence went with her. They had quite a long search and finally
+asked the policeman, who said: "there was a little boy down here on a
+stoop, crying."
+
+Jack, sure enough, and he was very glad to be found. His mother kept
+him in the house for two days and then he promised to be very good.
+
+"Now, if you make any trouble you shall not go out for a whole week."
+
+The babies hadn't gone much farther than "_agoo, agoo_," but Marilla
+tried her best to make them talk. They each had a rubber doll and the
+child would dance them up and down and make them turn somersaults and
+stand on their heads, and invent every sort of grotesque action.
+
+Jack was a good looking little fellow and had been spoiled in the
+earlier years. He was a little afraid of his father, and sometimes his
+mother _would_ make him mind, but he was very full of badness.
+
+Aunt Florence wanted some silk and twist and spools of cotton one
+morning.
+
+"You could find your way down to Grand street where the stores are,
+couldn't you Marilla--where we went that Saturday night?"
+
+"Oh, yes. Down there opposite the park."
+
+"Yes. It's a big store. Day and Belden. I'll write it out for you and
+you may take my Leggy bag. Be sure and put the change in it before you
+leave the store."
+
+"Yes'm," with her sweet accent.
+
+"She may take Jack, and the babies will have a good long nap. Now
+Jack, you must be very good and mind Marilla, or you shan't go out
+again for a week."
+
+Jack said he would. He looked very pretty in his brown coat with its
+fur collar, and his brown mittens.
+
+"Give me a penny a'cause I'm gonter be good."
+
+"I'll wait and see whether you are going to good or not."
+
+Jack stood it pretty well until they reached the little park which was
+a rather long triangle with a few trees in it. Here he made a sudden
+dash and was off like a squirrel.
+
+Marilla was after him. "Go it sonny," cried a man laughing, but she
+gained on him and took him by the arm with a jerk that nearly capsized
+them both.
+
+He could not pull away. She marched him across the street and found
+the store, and asked for the notion department. There were the spools
+of all kinds.
+
+"Will you please open the bag and find an order in it," she said in a
+very nice manner.
+
+The girl smiled. "Three spools of silk, two twist, black cotton number
+60, white cotton, 60, 70 and 80."
+
+She put up the order and sent the money whizzing to the cash clerk,
+handing the bag to Marilla.
+
+"What's that thing like a railroad for?" asked Jack, keeping his eyes
+upon it.
+
+"That carries the money."
+
+"Gee! I wish I had one at home!"
+
+The change came back. Marilla opened the bag to put it in and used
+both hands. Jack was off like a flash, turning here and there through
+the aisles. Clear down to the end of the store was a toy department.
+Marilla was almost up to him when he grabbed a handful of toys and ran
+on.
+
+"Oh, do please stop him!" she cried to the clerk.
+
+Two or three joined the chase. Finding they were gaining on him he
+threw down the articles and stamped furiously upon them.
+
+"What is all this row?" asked the floor walker.
+
+"The little boy snatched the toys and ran," said the young clerk.
+
+"Oh, Jack, how could you!" cried Marilla.
+
+Jack laughed insolently.
+
+"Is he your brother?" in a sharp tone.
+
+"I'm only the nurse girl, please, sir," and Marilla began to cry.
+
+The floor walker shook Jack until he was purple in the face.
+
+"You little thief! You ought to go to the Station House. I've half a
+mind to send you!"
+
+"Oh, please don't," pleaded Marilla. She stooped to pick up some of
+the broken pieces. "I think his mother will pay for them."
+
+"Who's his mother?"
+
+"Mrs. John Borden, 138 Arch Street."
+
+"What brought you in the store."
+
+"I was sent to buy some things. They are in this bag, and--the
+change."
+
+A gentleman came up to inquire into the matter.
+
+"These children ought to be taught a lesson. That Granford boy carried
+off an expensive toy the other night and I sent a note to his mother
+that brought her to terms at once. See what is the value of these
+things."
+
+The counter girl began to place the pieces together and examine the
+marks.
+
+"It is--sixty-seven cents."
+
+"That's too much. We'll send a note to his mother, and young sir, if
+you dare to come in this store again, we'll send you to jail, I
+think."
+
+Quite a crowd had collected. One lady looked at him sharply.
+
+"Why, it's little Jack Borden," she said. "What's the matter?"
+
+Marilla told the story over.
+
+"I don't care," Jack flung out. "I just stamped on the old things."
+
+"Take that to Mrs. Borden," and the man handed Marilla a folded note.
+"Now, I'll see you out, young sir."
+
+Marilla trembled from head to foot. She was very much ashamed though
+none of it had been her fault. But what would Mrs. Borden say? What if
+Mrs. Borden should send her back to the Bethany Home! Oh, she did not
+want to go. But she could not manage Jack.
+
+The young man stopped short when they reached the house, "I ain't
+comin' in just now," he said decidedly.
+
+When Marilla was in the house she always answered the door bell.
+Bridget protested she could not run up and down so much and she didn't
+always hear it. Miss Florence came now.
+
+"Oh, Marilla, what's the matter?"
+
+"Jack has run off down the street. And, oh, Miss Florence"--ending in
+a fit of crying.
+
+"What _is_ the matter? Did you lose the money?"
+
+"Oh, no, here is everything and the change. But Jack----"
+
+"Come upstairs and tell us." Miss Florence opened the bag, counted the
+change, took out the parcels and a note.
+
+"Why, what is this?"
+
+"The man told me to bring it home. I held Jack's hand tight all the
+way down to the store and gave the girl the bag because I couldn't
+open it with one hand. She took out the money and put in the parcel
+and gave it to me and said, 'Wait for the change.' When it came she
+handed it to me and turned away, and when I was putting it in the bag
+Jack ran off. You know how the paths go in and out. I looked and
+looked and saw him over at the toy counter, but before I could reach
+him he snatched a lot of things and ran, and the girl went after him,
+too, and then he threw them down and stamped on them and ever so many
+people came and the man was very angry----"
+
+Marilla cried as if her little heart had been broken. Miss Florence
+handed the note to her sister who had been listening in amaze.
+
+"Marilla," began Florence, "you have done the errand very well. Don't
+cry, child. We shouldn't have let Jack go with you."
+
+Mrs. Borden's face turned very red. "A great fuss about sixty-seven
+cents. Accidents will happen."
+
+"But throwing them down and stamping on them was no accident, Amy.
+That child is dreadful. He doesn't mind Marilla when he is out of our
+sight, hardly when he is in it. And I don't know what the babies would
+do without her."
+
+They began to cry now. They always cried together and lustily.
+
+"Where's Jack?" asked his mother.
+
+"He ran down the street."
+
+"Don't worry about Jack, Marilla; you go down and get the babies'
+bread and milk ready."
+
+Marilla went and of course told the mishap to Bridget.
+
+"That young'un 'll get in prison some day; you see! He's a rascal
+through and through, a mean dirty spalpeen, a holy terror! And if they
+set to blaming you, I'll threaten to leave; that I will."
+
+"You don't think they'll send me back to Bethany Home?" in a
+distressed tone.
+
+"They'd be big fools to! I don't know where they'd get another like
+you. If that Jack was mine, I'd skin him alive and hang him out bare
+naked, the mean little thief! And the missus knows he's bad through
+and through."
+
+Marilla took the basin of dinner upstairs. The babies had hushed their
+crying and gave a sort of joyous howl at the sight. Florence had
+talked her sister-in-law into a more reasonable view of the case. Then
+the babies were fed and comforted and sat on the blanket with
+playthings about them. They could climb up a little by chairs, but
+they were too heavy for much activity.
+
+Mrs. Borden picked up her slipper and went down stairs, opening the
+front door. Jack was slowly sauntering back and she beckoned to him.
+He had begun to think it was feeding time as well as the babies.
+
+"I was gone, to put 'em back--" he began--
+
+She took off his pretty coat and then she did spank him for good.
+Meanwhile the bell rang for lunch. She put him on a chair in the end
+of the parlor and said--
+
+"Now you sit there. If you dare to get up you'll get some more. And
+all the lunch you can have will be a piece of bread without any
+butter." And she left the door open so she could see if he ventured
+down.
+
+But after the bread he went up stairs and straight to Marilla.
+
+"You old tell tale! You'll be rid on a rail and dumped in the river,"
+and he kicked at her.
+
+"The man sent a note----"
+
+"Jack," interposed his mother sternly.
+
+Then the babies were bundled up and carried down stairs, well wrapped
+up for their ride. Manila enjoyed the outing when she didn't have
+Jack. She went down again by the stores. There were two she delighted
+in, book and stationery stores. One window was full of magazines and
+papers, and she read bits here and there. She was so fond of reading
+and she would piece out the page she read with her own imaginings. She
+always staid out two hours, more when it was pleasant, and brought
+back the babies, rosy and bright eyed.
+
+"Jack," and his father took him on his knee that evening, "you have
+been a very bad boy today. You have been a thief. Suppose the man had
+sent you to the Station House?"
+
+"I wouldn't a' gone."
+
+"Well, you would have had to. Thieves break laws and are sent to
+prison. And there you broke up the toys. You must never go in a store
+again without your mother."
+
+"M'rilla took me in."
+
+"And mother and Auntie supposed they could trust you. Now they can't.
+You will have to be watched and punished, and I am going to do it.
+There'll be no more Sunday walks with me, either."
+
+"Can't I go alone?"
+
+"Not until you are a good boy."
+
+Jack looked rather sober, but his father saw he was not making much
+impression. And presently his mother put him to bed.
+
+"I really don't know what to do with Jack," his mother said on her
+return, taking up her sewing.
+
+"Listen to this," and Mr. Borden read from the paper an account of
+three boys who had managed to enter a grocery store and steal some
+quite valuable stock. Ages, seven, nine and ten.
+
+"I'd rather bury Jack tomorrow than have such a thing published about
+him," he said.
+
+"And Jack used to be so nice," returned his mother with a sigh.
+
+"We've indulged him too much, and we have idealized childhood too
+much; we've laughed at his smart tricks and his saucy replies, and
+tried high moral suasion, but we must turn over a new leaf. When he is
+bad he must be punished severely enough to make an impression. Are
+you sure of that girl, Marilla?"
+
+"Yes. She's truthful and so sweet to the babies. Bridget says she
+wouldn't even touch a piece of cake without asking for it. But I think
+she does sometimes shield Jack. He has a nasty way of pinching and I
+do slap him for it. I'm afraid of his pinching the babies. But we
+never do leave him alone with them."
+
+"See here," began Florence, "why not send him to Kindergarten. The new
+term is just beginning. I think boys ought to be with other boys. And
+those classes are made so entertaining. The many employments take a
+child's mind off of mischief, and they are trained in manners. Oh
+dear! think, what a blessed time we should have!"
+
+"I don't know but it is a good idea," said Jack's father. "He will
+have to mix with children some time, and our training hasn't proved
+such a brilliant success. Oh, I do want him to grow up a nice boy. But
+boys seem an awful risk now-a-days. I never knew so many youthful
+criminals."
+
+"I'd like to know who that woman was who recognized Jack in the
+store. That mortifies me awfully."
+
+"And it will get told all over, I know," returned Aunt Florence.
+
+"Well, children do out grow a good many of these disagreeable
+capers."
+
+The next night Mr. Borden brought home something in a paper bag and
+Jack begged the bag "to bust," watching his father as he shook out a
+leather strap cut in thongs and said--
+
+"Now, Jack, every time you do any naughty, ugly thing, I am going to
+punish you with this strap. You must not pinch Marilla or the babies,
+not kick any one nor tell what isn't true. We want you to be a pretty
+good boy, otherwise you will have to be sent to the reform school."
+
+"I'd like to go to the 'form school."
+
+"Not much," was the comment.
+
+"Why, I'd run away."
+
+"There's a high fence all around, and you couldn't climb it."
+
+"Then I'd holler like fury."
+
+"And be put in a dark dungeon."
+
+"There was a man in a story who dug his way out. That's what I'd do."
+
+Arguing was useless. He was such a little fellow, but fertile in
+expedients.
+
+"I don't want ever to use this strap on my little boy. I hope he will
+be good."
+
+"What is good and what is bad."
+
+"Come to bed, Jack. You're getting silly."
+
+On Monday morning Jack went to Kindergarten. The house was like
+another place. And Jack was very much entertained. He soon learned
+what a "punch below the belt" meant, and a "biff in the eye" and
+several other fighting terms.
+
+"And they're a set of gumps," he declared. "They can't read right off,
+they've got to write it, and I can read most anything and spell words,
+too. But they make pictures and lovely things, and sing. Yes, I like
+to go."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+PLAYING HOOKEY
+
+
+Marilla thought she had lovely times with Jack in school, but she did
+have to run up and down so much that some nights her little legs
+fairly ached. But now she took the babies out to the big park where
+she could sit and watch the merry children at play and the beds of
+flowers coming out, and there were the funny pussy willows and the
+long tails of yellow forsythia and some squirrels running around, and
+birds calling to each other. Then there were pretty children playing
+about and some nurse girls that she talked to. She felt so rested
+sitting here, and sometimes her thoughts went back to the March night
+when she had fallen asleep by the warm stove and had that wonderful,
+beautiful dream. She felt very happy over it. And the Cinderella meant
+all the little hard worked girls who had few pleasures. Oh, she wished
+they could all have one night in that magic fairy land.
+
+She was learning to sew a little as well, and she thought she should
+like it if there was a little more time. But the babies began to crawl
+around now and Violet would pick up anything and put it in her mouth;
+so you had to watch her every moment. And though they generally slept
+from ten to twelve, there was the door to answer, little things to be
+done for Aunt Hetty whose bell would ring just as she had her work
+fixed ready to sew. Then likely she would lose her needle.
+
+But she managed somehow to keep very sweet-tempered. She wished she
+could go to school.
+
+"We'll see next fall," Mrs. Borden said. "The twins will be larger and
+less trouble."
+
+Sundays were pretty good; Mr. Borden took out the children in the
+afternoon. She had to help Bridget with the vegetables for dinner,
+which was at midday and there was so much washing-up afterwards, at
+least drying the dishes, that there was barely time to go to Sunday
+school. But the singing was so delightful. She sang the pretty hymns
+over to the babies. In the evening the family generally went out or
+had company. So after Jack and the babies were abed she used to read,
+unless Jack wouldn't go to sleep and torment her with questions that
+were unanswerable.
+
+On the whole Jack had been pretty good for a fortnight. One afternoon
+Mrs. Borden had gone out, Miss Florence had some visitors in the
+parlor. Marilla had fed the babies who were laughing and crowing when
+Aunt Hetty's bell rang. She ran up.
+
+"M'rilla get me some hot water, quick, and that aromatic ammonia, I'm
+so faint and feel queer all over. Be quick now."
+
+She ran down, but could not run up lest she might spill the water.
+Aunt Hetty was gasping for breath, and leaning back in the big chair.
+She swallowed a little, then she went over on Marilla's shoulder and
+the child was frightened at her ghastly look. There was the lavender
+salts----
+
+Just then there was a succession of screams from the babies. Could she
+leave Aunt Hetty? Miss Florence called her, then ran up stairs
+herself.
+
+And this was what had happened; Jack had come home and finding no one,
+knew there was some candy on the closet shelf. And there hung the
+strap. He wondered if it would hurt very much? The babies looked too
+tempting. So he began to strap them and enjoyed the howling. He was
+just going to leave off when Aunt Florence flew into the room.
+
+"Oh, Jack, you cruel, wicked boy!" Then she seized the strap and he
+soon had an opportunity to known how much it hurt.
+
+"Marilla! Marilla!" she called.
+
+"Oh, Miss Florence, something dreadful has happened to Aunt Hetty, and
+I'm fast with her."
+
+She came up. "Oh, she looks as if she was dying or dead. Let's put her
+on the lounge and you go for Bridget."
+
+"What is the matter with the children."
+
+"Oh, go, quick! I'll tell you afterward."
+
+The child summoned Bridget and just ran in to comfort and kiss the
+babies.
+
+"Oh, Jack, you never--oh, look at their poor little hands! You bad,
+wicked boy!"
+
+"If you say much, I'll give you some----"
+
+Marilla snatched at the strap and flung it upon a high shelf. Jack
+wiped his eyes and went out to play. Marilla ran upstairs again. They
+were fanning Aunt Hetty and bathing her face and head.
+
+"Marilla, will you go to the parlor and ask that lady to come up
+here,--Mrs. Henderson. Bridget thinks--oh, and we ought to have a
+doctor! I must telephone."
+
+"And then can I stay with the babies?"
+
+"Yes, yes."
+
+"Poor babies!" Marilla fairly stopped them with witch hazel. Their
+little fat hands and their shoulders were swollen already. She kissed
+them, but she couldn't take them both and they wanted to be cuddled.
+So she sat down and hugged them and really cried herself.
+
+Bridget came down, "She isn't dead but she's a mighty hard faint on
+her. And what happened to the children?"
+
+Marilla explained in a broken voice.
+
+"Oh, the murtherin' little devil! You take one and I'll comfort
+'tother. But you can't lift her."
+
+No; Marilla couldn't lift such a dead weight. Bridget walked the floor
+and patted Pansy and crooned over her, but the hurt was pretty deep.
+
+Aunt Florence came down.
+
+"She's over the faint. Mrs. Henderson is going to stay a while. Oh,
+poor babies!"
+
+"I must look after my meat or it'll burn," and she gave the baby to
+Miss Florence.
+
+"I'll sit in the rocking chair and you put her in my lap, I think
+she's hurt more than Violet. You see, I ran upstairs when Miss Hetty's
+bell rang, and she fell on my shoulder, and I never thought----"
+
+"I gave it to him good, and his father'll finish him tonight. Oh,
+dear! Well, there comes their mother."
+
+There was a hubhub with both babies crying again. Mrs. Borden laid
+aside her hat and coat and took up Violet, sent Marilla for a pitcher
+of milk and both babies were comforted with a drink.
+
+"Sit on the floor and hold them. They're so heavy. Poor sweet
+babies."
+
+The sobs ceased after a while. Violet fell asleep, Pansy was bathed
+again and grew quieter. The doctor came and said it was a bad fainting
+spell but that Mrs. Vanderveers heart was weak from age.
+
+Marilla fixed Pansy's supper, fed her and undressed her, and her
+mother laid her in the crib. Then she said--
+
+"You may go and help Bridget a little with the dinner."
+
+Marilla arranged the table and the master of the house came in. Jack
+sneaked in, also. Mrs. Henderson staid, so no explanations were made.
+Jack was very quiet and behaved beautifully, but he wanted to go to
+bed at once. Violet woke and had her supper and quiet was restored.
+Then a man came in to consult Mr. Borden about some business.
+
+"It was awful that Jack should go at the babies so," said Mrs. Borden
+to her sister.
+
+"I don't know about telling his father. You gave him one
+whipping----"
+
+"And a good hard one. I'm afraid of boys getting so used to that mode
+of punishment that they don't mind it. But father brought up four boys
+in that manner and they have all made nice men. I don't see where Jack
+gets his badness from."
+
+Jack's mother sighed. "And yet he can be so lovely."
+
+"I've been considering," rejoined Florence. "Suppose we hold this
+over his head for a while. I might talk to him."
+
+"Well, we can try it."
+
+So Aunt Florence talked to him very seriously, and said if he wasn't a
+better boy they would have to send him off somewhere in the country
+where there were no children. She would not tell his father just now,
+but if he ever struck or pinched the babies again she certainly would,
+and he would be punished twice over. He must remember that.
+
+He put his arms around her neck, and kissed her. "I'm awful sorry. I
+didn't think it hurt so," he said naively.
+
+"Papa will hurt you a great deal more than I did," was her reply.
+
+And then Jack had a sudden accession of goodness. His teacher was
+proud of him. How much was due to his pretty face and winsome manner,
+one couldn't quite tell, but the nursery had a lovely rest and Marilla
+didn't have to watch out every moment.
+
+Mrs. Borden secretly wished the twins were prettier. They were too
+fat, and when she tried to diet them a little they made a terrible
+protest. Here they were fourteen months old and couldn't walk yet,
+but they were beginning to say little words under their nurse's steady
+training.
+
+Aunt Hetty made light of her attack and was soon about as usual, but
+she did not take long walks and laid on the lounge a good deal. "Folks
+can't stay young forever," she said, "and I'm getting to be quite an
+old lady."
+
+Then they began to plan for a summering.
+
+Last year they had not gone anywhere. Advertisements were answered,
+and Florence visited several places. They would take Marilla of
+course, she was coming to have a thin, worn look. Aunt Hetty would
+visit a grand niece, who had been begging her to come. Bridget would
+stay in the house, she had no fancy for cantering about. Mrs. Borden
+would live at home through the week and rejoin them on Saturday
+afternoons. They must get off soon after school closed. There was no
+end of sewing. Some pretty skirts were altered over for Marilla, as
+there was enough for full dresses in them.
+
+The place was on Long Island, a country house with only two other
+boarders. It was barely a quarter of a mile from the seashore, with a
+great orchard and grass all about, shady places for hammocks and
+numerous conveniences, besides moderate board.
+
+Jack had not been an angel all the time. Some days he wouldn't study.
+Then he had two fights with boys. He threw stones at cats--sometimes
+dogs, and broke two or three windows which he didn't set out to do. He
+was getting tired of school and the weather was warm.
+
+So one afternoon he thought he would take a walk instead. He would go
+out to the park where they went on Sundays. It was so warm in school.
+He was getting quite tired of the confinement.
+
+He found a group of children and played with them awhile. Then they
+ran off home and he rambled on and on until he came to a street up a
+few steps. A wagon was standing there and two little boys were hanging
+on behind.
+
+"Come on, its real fun," sang out one of them. "You get a good ride."
+
+Jack thought it would be. They showed him how to hold on. The driver
+had been busy with an account book and now he touched up the horses.
+"Hanging on" wasn't so easy Jack found, and you had to swing your legs
+underneath. The man paused again at a saloon and he dropped off; his
+hands were very tired. The man went in the place and when he came out
+one of the boys said--
+
+"Hi! Mister, won't you give us a ride?"
+
+The man laughed. "Where you want to go? I'm for Roselands."
+
+"We want to go there," was the reply.
+
+"Well, crawl up here. Two of you'll have to sit on the wagon bottom."
+
+"I'm going to sit with the driver, 'cause I asked."
+
+It wasn't a very clean floor to sit on, Jack thought, and the wagon
+bumped a good deal, the beer kegs rattled against each other. But the
+boys laughed and called it fun. There was another stop and then the
+driver asked who they were going to see in Roselands.
+
+"Oh, no one. We're going just for fun."
+
+"Where'd you live?"
+
+The boys all lived at Newton.
+
+"Jiminy; then you better get out and trot back. I'm going over the
+mountain where I put up for the night. Mebbe you can get a ride back.
+It's two miles down to the place where I took you in."
+
+"Yes, we better get out," replied the biggest boy. "Oh, we can soon
+foot it back. Much obliged for the ride, Mister."
+
+The man nodded.
+
+They sat off quite cheerily. Automobiles passed them and carriages
+containing ladies, one or two loaded trucks. Jack began to get very
+tired and lagged. "Come, hurry up," the biggest boy said. Jack ran a
+little distance for a change. He began to wish he was back in school.
+Presently a farm wagon came jogging along.
+
+"Give us a ride?" The biggest boy's name was Dick and he seemed the
+spokesman.
+
+"Yes--where ye want to go?"
+
+"To Newton."
+
+"I turn off at the crossroads, ye kin ride that fur."
+
+That was a great relief. They were quite jolly again, though Jack
+didn't understand the fun. But when they dismounted, Dick asked him
+where he lived.
+
+"In Arch Street."
+
+"Well, that's clear over there," indicating it with his head. "Ta ta,
+little sonny."
+
+They both laughed and Jack felt rather affronted. Over there seemed a
+long way. Then it was clouding up and night was coming on. He went
+straight along, but now he was hungry, and his little legs ached. He
+had been instructed if he was ever lost to ask the way to Arch Street.
+So he asked now.
+
+"Oh, sonny, you're a long way from Arch Street. Keep straight on until
+you come to Taylor, then ask again."
+
+Here was a bakery with a pleasant, motherly woman. He went in.
+
+"Please ma'am, would you give me a bun? I'm lost and I can't find my
+way back to Arch Street."
+
+"You poor child! Yes, and here's a cake, beside. Arch Street isn't far
+from the eastern end of the park. Sit and get rested. Who's your
+father?"
+
+"Mr. John Borden."
+
+The woman shook her head.
+
+"Thank you, very much." Jack rose.
+
+"You go straight down three blocks. Then ask a policeman. Oh, I guess
+you'll get home safely."
+
+Jack walked his three blocks. Then there was a low rumble of thunder.
+Oh, dear! He began to cry. Was there never a policeman!
+
+"What's the matter bub?" asked a kindly voice.
+
+"I'm lost. I can't find my way home."
+
+"Where is home?"
+
+"Arch Street."
+
+"Come on. We'll find it. It's bad to be lost. Where have you been?"
+
+"Oh, I can't tell all the places," sobbingly.
+
+They entered the park. Even that was large enough to get lost in. It
+grew darker and darker and there was a sprinkle of rain. Jack held
+tight to the man's hand, and it seemed as if the park was full of
+bears. He was so frightened. They came to one of the entrances.
+
+"Now you keep straight on and you will come to Arch Street. Good-bye
+little lad. It's raining quite fast. Hook it along."
+
+Jack _did_ run. Houses began to look familiar.
+
+Yes, here was his own street. Oh, how glad he was. He almost flew. And
+his father ran down the steps and caught his little wet boy in his
+arms.
+
+"Oh, Jack! Jack! Amy," he cried through the open hall door, "he's
+here! he's here!"
+
+There had been a great commotion, for Jack had been instructed to come
+straight home from school even if he went out afterward. And when it
+came dinnertime with no Jack, and the dreadful things that one could
+conjure up--being run over, being kidnapped--for he was such a pretty
+little fellow! Mr. Borden telephoned to the Police Precinct, to two
+hospitals, went out to search, inquiring of the neighboring children.
+No, he had not been playing with them. Mrs. Borden was wild with
+terror. Aunt Florence said some boy had coaxed him off somewhere, but
+she was desperately afraid that he laid crushed in some hospital. And
+now they all hugged and kissed him; and what with the fatigue, the
+fright and all, Jack really had an hysteric.
+
+They rubbed him and put him in some dry clothes and gave him a dose of
+aromatic ammonia to steady his nerves, and then some supper. And he
+said he went to the park and came out somewhere, and a man took him
+and two other boys for a ride. Dick was such a nice, big fellow. He
+said nothing about hanging on behind, he had a feeling that wouldn't
+redound to the story. And the man took them out to Roselands and
+wasn't coming back----
+
+"Roselands," cried his mother. "Oh, Jack you might have been
+kidnapped. Never, never go riding with any strange man. And how did
+you get back?"
+
+"We walked some, then another man rode us a little way, and the boys
+went off and I got lost more and more and couldn't find a cop, and
+asked every so many people, and a woman gave me a bun and a cake, and
+then a man took me across the park and told me to go straight along.
+And I was afraid of the thunder and all, and I was wet, and oh,
+dear!"
+
+"Never mind, Jack. You're safe home now. You must come straight home
+from school, you have always been told that."
+
+And he hadn't been to school at all!
+
+But he was very sleepy and his mother put him to bed and kissed him a
+dozen times. The scoldings would save until tomorrow.
+
+Jack was rather languid the next morning and a little afraid. But he
+was the best boy in school, and brought home a note from his teacher,
+never suspecting his sin would find him out so soon.
+
+Miss Collins asked his mother if she would send the reason why Jack
+was not at school yesterday afternoon, as they were required to put it
+down in the record book.
+
+"Oh, Jack! You didn't go to school yesterday afternoon! What _were_
+you doing?"
+
+Jack hung his head, "I took a little walk, and then--and then--I was
+afraid it was late, and some children were playing--!"
+
+"Oh, you naughty boy! That is playing truant. I don't know what your
+father will say!"
+
+"I don't want to any more. I'd rather go to school. It wasn't funny a
+bit. And I don't want to ride in any old wagon that jounces and
+jounces, and I did get so tired. What did the teacher say?"
+
+"They have to put the true reason down in the record book. And there
+it will stay always. My nice little boy was a truant-player. And we
+shall all be so ashamed. What will your father say? And he was so
+afraid last night that you were killed!"
+
+"Oh, mama, I never will do it again, never!" Jack hung round his
+mother's neck and cried and she cried with him, thinking of her
+tumult of agony last night. And she had him safe--her little boy!
+
+"Jack," she began presently, "can't you be brave enough to tell papa
+how it began. Climb up in his lap and tell him how sorry and ashamed
+you are."
+
+"Will he strap me?"
+
+"You deserve it I think. But he surely would if I told him. And when
+people do wrong they must bear the punishment."
+
+"But I never will do it again."
+
+"Tell him that, too."
+
+Of course they talked it over at dinner time. Jack was not at all
+vainglorious. Afterward, he hung around and presently climbed up in
+his father's lap.
+
+"My dear little son," and his father kissed him.
+
+"But papa, I was badder than all that." Badder seemed to admit more
+enormity than simply bad, "I--I went in the park to walk and I staid
+so long that--that----"
+
+"That you were ashamed to go back?"
+
+"Well"--Jack had spasms of direct truth tellings now and then, like
+most children.
+
+"I didn't feel so 'shamed then as when teacher spoke of it this
+afternoon. It looked so pleasant I thought I'd go on. Some of the boys
+said it was funny to play hookey, but I don't want to do it ever
+again. And if I had been killed somewhere!" Jack began to cry.
+
+The father held him close for some minutes.
+
+"Jack," he said at length, "you have been a very bad boy, and I am
+glad it wasn't a happy afternoon. I hope you never will play truant
+again. Think how mama and I suffered not knowing what had happened to
+you and afraid our little boy might be brought home dead. You ought to
+be punished but you seem to have suffered somewhat, and I am going to
+trust you, only, you can't go walking with me on Sunday, and maybe
+there are some other pleasures you will be deprived of. I'm awfully
+sorry and mortified that your name must go on record down at City Hall
+as a truant from school. Some of my friends may see it. These things
+are sure to get to daylight and make your family ashamed of them, and
+your teachers; just try to think of that when you do the things you
+know are wrong, for even a little boy will know that. Didn't
+something tell you staying from school was wrong?"
+
+Jack crept closer in his father's arms. He was too young for much
+reasoning, and the man wondered if he would have been so penitent if
+he had had what boys call a real good time.
+
+They let the matter go at that. Jack looked very wistful when his
+father took the babies out Sunday morning and said no word to him. He
+followed Marilla round as she dusted up the rooms and wanted to know
+about Bethany Home.
+
+"Were the children always good?"
+
+"Oh, no. There were a good many bad ones among them."
+
+"Did they have a strap?"
+
+"Yes, a bigger one than your father's."
+
+"Will papa get a bigger one when I'm big?"
+
+"Oh, Jack, I hope you won't need any strap. Why can't you be a good
+boy?"
+
+Jack gave a long sigh. "Sometimes badness comes into your mind just
+sudden like."
+
+After a pause--"Did you like Bethany Home?"
+
+"Not as well as being here. I've told you that forty times. And there
+were no little babies. And no dessert, only a teeny little bit on
+Sunday. And just a sweet cracker for tea."
+
+"What makes you like the babies? They can't talk nor do anything. And
+they are not as pretty as I am. Folks used to say when I was real
+little, 'Oh, what a lovely child.'"
+
+Marilla laughed, Jack did know that he was very good looking.
+
+"They'll be pretty by and by. And they are real sweet. I like babies.
+I like kittens and little chickens."
+
+"I like a dog. Cats scratch."
+
+"Not unless you torment them. Now I am going down stairs to put the
+dishes on the table. Then I must go and help Bridget."
+
+"Bridget won't let me come down in the kitchen. She chases me out with
+a stick."
+
+"Children are a bother in the kitchen. They ask so many questions."
+
+Then his mother and Aunt Florence came home from church, and his
+father with both babies asleep. He carried them upstairs.
+
+Marilla was getting to be quite a handy table maid for all but the
+heavy dishes. She placed them on the dumb waiter and started them
+down stairs. Mrs. Borden took off the others. When the babies were
+awake Marilla had to stay up with them.
+
+Mrs. Borden dished the cream. "Jack will not have any today," his
+mother said.
+
+Jack sat still with his eyes full of tears but said not a word.
+
+But he went to Sunday school with Marilla and behaved beautifully.
+
+"If he was always as good as this," the child thought, "how I should
+love him." He did not even tease for a walk, a thing she was quite
+afraid he would do.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+POOR CINDERELLA
+
+
+Oh, how busy they were and the babies took this opportunity to begin
+the cutting of teeth. The auto came for Aunt Hetty. Some of the parlor
+furnishings were packed away, everything swathed in linen. The closing
+exercises of the kindergarten took place and Jack distinguished
+himself by repeating a pretty little poem. In September he would be
+six.
+
+Then came the last week. They would go on Saturday. Sunday was Fourth
+of July but it would be held on Monday. Trunks were packed, the last
+bit of shopping done. The babies fretted and Marilla took them out
+morning and afternoon with strict injunctions to keep on the shady
+side of the street. It seemed to grow hotter and hotter. The child
+lost her appetite and could not eat Bridget's choice tid-bits. Oh, how
+her little legs ached, and her back felt sometimes as if it would fall
+apart.
+
+"It's good you are going," declared Bridget.
+
+"You're almost a skeleton. Goodness knows I shall miss you enough, and
+just be thinking of your coming back."
+
+Jack had gone down town with his mother to get some sandals and
+slippers. She was very glad, for sometimes his talking almost set her
+crazy, and she really was afraid to be impatient with him.
+
+She had found a beautiful quiet street with great trees that fairly
+met in the middle of it. Many of the families were away. She sat on
+one special stoop where the house was all shut up tight. There were no
+children in the street.
+
+It seemed this day, Thursday, as if she would never get there. The
+babies were so heavy. She sat down on the second step, leaning against
+the stone column and pushed the carriage to and fro. Curious shadows
+went dancing before her eyes, sometimes she could not see at all. And
+she was so sleepy!
+
+Pansy threw her rattle out and cried for it. Marilla stepped down to
+pick it up and fell on the sidewalk. What was the matter with her
+legs? they seemed to have lost their strength. She crawled up again.
+All the world, the trees and houses went flying round and all was
+dark. She was falling down--down--Poor little Cinderella!
+
+The babies missed the soft soothing voice. They cried louder and
+louder, then howled. Some children came to see what was the matter two
+quite big boys among them. The policeman looked down from the corner
+and paced with his slow tread.
+
+"What's the row here?" he asked.
+
+A lady came down one of the stoops on the opposite side of the street;
+a rather tall, slim woman in a soft gray dress and hat with violets
+around the crown. She crossed over. The policeman had taken the girl
+by the shoulder and given her a rough shake.
+
+"Those children howl enough to wake the dead, and she's asleep here."
+
+But as he partly raised her Miss Armitage saw that her face was deadly
+white.
+
+"Oh, poor child!" she cried. "What can be the matter? And whose babies
+are these?"
+
+"They're Jack Borden's little sisters--twins. And thats the nuss gal,"
+said one of the big boys.
+
+"Do you know where they live?"
+
+"Round in Arch street."
+
+"Could you take them there?"
+
+"Well--yes'm."
+
+"Then take them," rejoined the lady.
+
+The carriage being moved she sat down on the step and took the girl in
+her arms.
+
+"She isn't dead--I see the flutter in the temple."
+
+"Better go to the hospital," proposed the policeman.
+
+Marilla opened her eyes and glanced up but did not seem to notice
+anything; then the lids fell and the beautiful long lashes shadowed
+her cheeks.
+
+"Carry her to my house across the street," and she led the way.
+
+He picked up the light burden as if it had been a feather. She opened
+the door and asked him to take the child upstairs and lay her on the
+couch.
+
+"I am obliged to you," she said. "In a way I am in Settlement work.
+We'll have a doctor and see what is the matter. Then I'll decide about
+the hospital. And I will find out about those people."
+
+"You're a good sort, ma'am," and he touched his hat brim to her.
+
+"Jane," she called. "This poor child isn't exactly in a faint, but
+something is the matter. Get a warm bath ready and we'll put her in.
+I'll telephone to Dr. Richards."
+
+"Yes--he was just going out. Would be up for a first call."
+
+Miss Armitage undressed her. She was clean and neat, but the poor
+little body was painfully thin. Then they carried her to the bath.
+Jane rubbed her softly and she gave some responsive sighs.
+
+"What a pretty lot of little curls and fine as silk. I do wonder who
+she can be?"
+
+"She's the little nurse girl who brings those babies, twins I suppose
+they are, and sits on the stoop over opposite."
+
+"What happened?"
+
+"Well it's some sort of a collapse. Now I'll find a nice nightgown,
+and we'll see what the doctor says."
+
+Marilla opened her eyes. They were a sort of blueish gray, but now
+very heavy and dull. Her lips moved, but the tone was very low. It
+sounded as if she said "fairy godmother" and Miss Armitage smiled.
+
+"Oh, poor little thing!"
+
+Dr. Richards flew around in his auto.
+
+"Oh, I thought something had happened to you," he began.
+
+"It has," and she detailed the simple story.
+
+He followed her up to the room. It was such a lovely, restful room. A
+white bed in the alcove, white window drapery, a carpet with
+considerable light blue in it, a dressing case, a writing desk, some
+books and pictures, mostly Madonnas.
+
+"Poor child," he said. "She's been worked too hard. All her strength
+seems gone. And a case of heat prostration. It's been an awful day.
+Who is she?"
+
+Miss Armitage told over the incident. "I have seen her sitting there
+several times. It is shady in the afternoon."
+
+"Two fat babies," and he laughed. "I should think one would be enough
+for such a child to manage. Overwork and underfeeding I think, and the
+heat. I'll see if I can rouse her."
+
+Marilla opened her eyes and the lids seemed to fall from absolute
+weariness. The lips moved but made no sound.
+
+"It is a kind of comatose state. Not knowing all that is back of it I
+can't quite make up my mind. If this awful heat would let up! I'll
+leave some drops to be given to her and will come in one my first
+round in the morning. I haven't been to the Settlement House yet."
+
+"Oh, you must go. That little Mary Burns died at noon, and her mother
+is half crazy over it. Poor little thing, deformed and all that. This
+child has a nice straight body and a fine smooth skin. I'll go round
+in Arch street and see what I can learn about her."
+
+"She looks worth saving if life really holds anything for her. Poor
+things! Why are so many sent into the world 'just to toil.'"
+
+"I was going over----"
+
+"Never mind now. I'll attend to it all, and see the Burns' priest.
+Don't be worried. These drops will keep up her strength," nodding to
+Marilla. "And I will report in the morning."
+
+Dr. Richards went his way. Miss Armitage sat and considered. Perhaps
+it would be as well to go to Mrs. Borden's. They would be feeling
+much alarmed, no doubt. She explained to Jane and put on her hat again
+and picked up her sun umbrella, for some streets were still in a glow.
+This was the best part of the city however, and there were some fine
+trees.
+
+She stopped and looked in a directory. There was only one Borden
+living on Arch street, a Mr. John Borden, lawyer. She made a note of
+the number. Arch street was some distance farther west, and then only
+a block or so. A very nice looking three-story brick with a stone
+stoop. She mounted and rang the bell. There certainly was a child or
+children crying.
+
+A young woman much distraught answered the door. And now positive
+howls greeted her ears.
+
+"We are in such trouble," apologized the woman.
+
+"I am Miss Armitage and live in Loraine place, nearly opposite where
+the little girl fainted. Did the babies get home safely?"
+
+"Oh, we are so glad! Won't you please come upstairs for my sister
+can't leave the children. We have been almost crazy! One boy said she
+fell off the steps. Is she much hurt?"
+
+"She had a bad fainting spell. The doctor came and he hardly knows
+what to think until tomorrow. The policeman proposed sending her to
+the Hospital, but I am one of the managers of the Settlement House in
+Beacon street, so I had her brought over to my house. A fall, you
+said?"
+
+"That was what a boy said--that she tumbled off the step. Oh, Pansy
+dear, do hush! You miss Marilla, don't you? The best little nurse in
+all the world. Oh, what _can_ we do without her!"
+
+Mrs. Borden was pacing the floor with the baby's head against her
+shoulder and gently patting her. She did not scream now, but sobbed in
+a very sleepy fashion.
+
+"You see, we are to start on Saturday noon, and we shall not come back
+until the middle of September. We thought it would be so nice for
+Marilla, too, she'd kind of run down though she wasn't at all ill.
+Bridget worried that she ate so little and she was growing thin."
+
+"How long has she been with you?"
+
+"I took her from an institution--the Bethany Home--about the middle of
+October. She was just twelve, the Matron said. I think she was very
+glad to come. She's had a good home and plenty to eat. And one funny
+thing is that Bridget took such a fancy to her, and though Bridget's
+good as gold, she has some queer streaks."
+
+Mrs. Borden sat down and drew a long breath. Pansy had fallen asleep
+at last.
+
+"And we never let her lift the children or carry them up and down. I
+think babies are sometimes injured for life that way in falling. They
+used to sit on the rug and she'd tell them stories. I think she must
+have made them out of her head--funny things and she'd act them off
+and the babies would laugh and laugh--it was as good as a play. They
+seemed to understand every word. Marilla was a born nurse girl. But
+what can we do? We must have someone, and there's only such a little
+time."
+
+Miss Armitage was thinking.
+
+"Perhaps I might help you out," she said kindly. "There is a young
+girl with us who worked in a factory until she gave out. We sent her
+to the Rest House in the country and she _did_ improve, but they
+wouldn't take her back in the factory. She's a nice pleasant girl
+about seventeen."
+
+"Oh, how good of you to think of it! But I can't pay high wages, for
+there'll be her board and it won't be hard. When the babies are well
+they are as good as kittens though they can't scamper around so much.
+And they're so fat they won't walk very soon. It'll just be sitting
+round and amusing them and looking after their food. I couldn't give
+more than three dollars a week--we are not at all rich," with a short
+laugh of apology.
+
+"I think Ellen would come for awhile."
+
+"And I should want Marilla as soon as she was well enough. You see
+she's bound-out to me, and we all like her so much. I don't see what
+_could_ have happened to her. She has been out in the fresh air most
+of the time and we always tell her to go slow with the babies, not
+rush along in the heat. What did she say?"
+
+"Oh, she hasn't spoken at all. She lies just unconscious."
+
+"Good gracious! Oh, you don't think she will die?" and Mrs. Borden
+really turned pale with fright.
+
+"A person sometimes lies that way for days when overcome with the
+heat. The doctor can tell better tomorrow."
+
+"Oh, poor little Marilla! She is so sweet-tempered. And you were so
+good not to send her off to a hospital. How ever should we have found
+her! There is so little time. When shall we hear about this other
+girl?"
+
+"I will telephone as soon as I go home and tell them to send her in
+the morning," and Miss Armitage rose.
+
+"We are so much obliged." She followed her visitor out in the hall.
+
+"Do not come down," said Miss Armitage. "And I hope the babies will
+improve."
+
+"Thank you--for everything."
+
+The sun was going down and some stray wafts of wind wandered along,
+which made the heat rather more endurable.
+
+"Jane," she said as she walked into the room, "did you notice any
+bruise on the child's head while you were bathing her. She fell off of
+the steps it seemed."
+
+"There was none on her forehead. Her hair is very thick and I really
+did not look only to see that it was in a nice, clean condition. She
+hasn't suffered for want of cleanliness."
+
+Then she told Jane all she had learned, adding:
+
+"They seem very nice kind of people. But oh! those babies!"
+
+Miss Armitage telephoned to the settlement House, stating the case.
+
+"Yes, Ellen Day was still there and would be very glad of the
+position. She would go the first thing in the morning."
+
+Jane insisted on bringing in a cot and sleeping beside the little girl
+who lay quite as still as if she were dead. Now and then she gave her
+the drops and fanned the air about her. The morning came and the city
+was astir again. But it was quiet in Loraine place. So many had gone
+away and there were no trolleys nearby.
+
+They looked over Marilla's head and found one spot above the ear that
+had a small bit of discoloration, but it was not in a dangerous place.
+The doctor came in.
+
+"I did not think there would be much change," he said. Then he tried
+to rouse her. Jane held her up while they gave her a little milk which
+she swallowed without difficulty. She opened her eyes and closed them
+again, then lay quiet.
+
+He listened to Miss Armitage's interview and nodded as she went
+along.
+
+"The child is terribly run down. I think she has worked harder than
+any one imagined. But they seem to have appreciated her."
+
+No one could guess the strain of talking so incessantly to amuse the
+babies, of reading to Jack, of having eyes all over to see that he did
+not torment the little ones, push their playthings out of the way,
+give them sly pinches or tweak their hair. She did hate to tell tales
+on him. And when he coaxed to go out with her he was a constant care.
+School had been closed for a fortnight. Oh, how tired she was every
+night!
+
+"You don't eat more than a bird," Bridget would complain.
+
+"But I'm never hungry now, I shall be so glad when we get to the real
+country, and grass, and everything. I'm so tired of the rows and rows
+of red brick houses, and they all seem so hot."
+
+And now Bridget was almost heart broken.
+
+Ellen Day came in to tell Miss Armitage how glad she was that a good
+word had been spoken for her. "And she was sure she should like the
+ladies and the pretty little boy. But how fat the babies were and not
+a bit pretty. They were to start at twelve tomorrow."
+
+It was still hot, but in the afternoon it clouded up and the evening
+brought a most refreshing shower. The hot wave was broken.
+
+Sunday afternoon they had rolled the couch over by the window. Miss
+Armitage sat reading. Jane had gone out for a walk. The child seemed
+to have grown thinner in these few days.
+
+She opened her eyes slowly and looked intently at the woman sitting
+there in her soft, white attire. She was so sweet and pretty.
+
+"Are you a fairy godmother?" Marilla asked in a weak, wandering tone.
+
+"A--what?" smiling in surprise.
+
+"A fairy godmother. You don't look like the other one, but then it was
+night and we went to the King's ball. Oh, it was so splendid!"
+
+"When was that?" in a soft, persuasive tone.
+
+"Oh, a long time ago. I was Cinderella, and every new Cinderella
+dances with the Prince, you know. Only they can't dance but once with
+him."
+
+It was something the child had read, doubtless.
+
+"Do you feel better?" she asked tenderly.
+
+Marilla glanced around and sighed. Then she said in a frightened
+tone--
+
+"Oh, where am I? And where are the babies? I heard them cry."
+
+"You are all safe and right. And the babies and all the family went
+down on Long Island."
+
+"It's so queer."
+
+The eyelids drooped again and she fell asleep.
+
+An hour later she woke, and seemed to study the room and the lady.
+
+"I never was at fairyland but that once," she said slowly. "Then there
+was such lovely music and dancing and everybody was so gay. It's
+beautiful here and you are very sweet. I don't know how I came here.
+Must I go back?"
+
+"Not until you are well. You have been ill. And you were brought
+here----"
+
+"I can't think. There were the babies. I went to get something and
+stumbled and everything looked so queer, blue and red and full of
+stars, and then I went down and down and all was dark and I kept going
+down----"
+
+"You fainted and were brought over here. The babies were taken home.
+And you have been ill, but now you are going to get well."
+
+"I've never been real ill. There were the measles once in the home and
+we had to stay in bed. I was so hungry. Oh, do you know where Bridget
+is? She was so good to me."
+
+"She is at Mr. Borden's."
+
+"Could I please to have a drink?"
+
+Miss Armitage brought a glass of milk.
+
+"Would you like something to eat--a bit of custard?"
+
+"I'm not hungry. But the milk was good. Thank you. Who brought me back
+from that great dark pit?"
+
+"The doctor, I guess," with a smile.
+
+"Could I be turned over?"
+
+Miss Armitage turned her so her face was toward the sky. She drew a
+long breath.
+
+"Do you mind if I should go to sleep?"
+
+"Oh, no, and I'll read to you."
+
+The sweet voice soon lulled her to sleep. And she did not speak again
+all through the evening, but was rather restless all night. No one had
+to watch with her now, but Miss Armitage was troubled at the soft,
+long sighs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE FAIRY GODMOTHER
+
+
+Marilla wondered what the bells were ringing for. And then pistols
+were firing. Oh, yes, it was Fourth of July. She would get up--but her
+thin legs gave way and her head spun round. All the room was strange,
+and everybody seemed mixed up. Then a soft voice said--
+
+"I hope you are better this morning."
+
+"I feel--queer--"
+
+The face was flushed, the little hands were hot.
+
+"The doctor was afraid of fever," Miss Armitage said to Jane, "and it
+has come."
+
+But the doctor was in early. There would be so many calls on him, by
+and by.
+
+"Yes, it is fever. She seemed better yesterday. And she can't spare
+any strength to be burned up, so we must do our best. I don't dare
+treat her as you would a robust child, but I'll give her something
+every hour, and get in again before night. Oh, no, I think it is
+hardly critical," in answer to the lady's anxious look.
+
+Marilla did not seem to know any one. She muttered little catches of
+talk about the babies and Jack, always pleading with him not to do
+this or that. Once she laughed and waved her hand to and fro as if in
+response to music and said--"All the Cinderellas! How beautiful!"
+
+A tall, plain-looking Irish woman came in at midafternoon.
+
+"Tell her it's Bridget," she said. "Can't I see her?"
+
+"Oh, yes," replied Miss Armitage, "But I am afraid she will not
+recognize you."
+
+So she led the way upstairs. Marilla lay on the cot now and was moving
+her hands as if acting something.
+
+"Ah, the dear!" Bridget knelt down by the side of the bed. "Don't you
+remember Bridget whose come to care for you so much? Ah dear! It's
+meself that sorry enough to see ye lyin' this way, thin as a ghost."
+
+She opened her eyes, "Bridget! Oh, you know the night I went to the
+ball and fairy godmother turned my old frock into the beautifullest
+frock, all lace and ribbons. And I danced with the Prince and had such
+a lovely time!"
+
+Then the eyelids fell and she lapsed into unconsciousness.
+
+Miss Armitage glanced inquiringly.
+
+"It was along of a dream that she had once; it _was_ a dream for such
+things don't happen now-a-days, more's the pity. But she always
+believes it real and true, the dear, that she was Cinderella, and had
+been there. She's the best little thing I ever saw, and she never told
+you a lie or took a bit of cake without asking. In the beginning she
+must have belonged to some nice folks; and just look at her pretty
+hands and feet, light and small enough to dance at any king's ball.
+But it's hard on the nice ones that have to go to Homes and be put out
+for little drudges. Though they're nice people, the Bordens, as you
+may guess by my stayin' with 'em goin' on five year."
+
+"And she wasn't over-worked," ventured Miss Armitage. "She is so
+thin."
+
+"She's been falling away dreadful the last month. Well, she wasn't and
+she was. There was an old lady living up on the third floor, an aunt
+or something and she was afraid of bad spells, she did have some, and
+she'd ring her bell for Marilla an' it would be upstairs an' down,
+sometimes way down to my kitchen, and lugging those two fat babies up
+and down the street----"
+
+"Did she have to carry them any?"
+
+"Oh, no. The mistress didn't want her to lift them. She was afraid of
+a fall and their backs would get broken. So when they were big enough
+they sat on the floor and she talked to them and told them funny
+things and acted 'em off and laughed, and they'd laugh too. It was
+like a play to see 'em. And they'd jabber back and she'd make b'lieve
+she understood it all. She was a wonderful child's nurse an' there'll
+be trouble enough without her. But the babies went to bed early an'
+then she'd come down an' wipe the dishes for me an' they made no call
+on her. But Jack was a holy terror, he was that bad, but he went to
+school in the spring. If he was mine I'd skin him alive. But it was
+hard dragging them fat, heavy things around. Will you tell me just how
+you come to find her? They've missed her so. They screech enough to
+raise the dead, an' I know it's for her."
+
+Miss Armitage told the incident over.
+
+"The saints bless and protect you ma'am for not lettin' her be sent to
+a hospital! But do you think she _can_ get well? And if that other
+maid suits, couldn't you keep her here all summer and let her get good
+and strong? I'm going out to my cousin at Fairfield to stay until next
+Monday. The boss will be down with his folks until then, and all the
+vallerbles have been sent out of the house so we can leave it alone.
+And when I come back we may have a plan for the poor dear that isn't
+baby tendin'. O the little darlin'! Don't let her die, ma'am, she's so
+nice and sweet!"
+
+She caught the little hand and kissed it, and winked away the tears
+that glistened in her eyes.
+
+"I'll do my best, you may be sure. And when you come back, I shall be
+glad to have a call from you. And by that time she may know us all.
+Thank you for your sympathy."
+
+Bridget nodded and turned away. Miss Armitage studied the little girl
+with a new interest. She had seen beautiful children among the very
+poor, in the slums, with no ancestry back of them. There was something
+about this child--not beauty either, that set one to thinking. She
+must learn something about her.
+
+And then she smiled over the fancy of being Cinderella and dancing
+with the Prince at the ball. What a happy dream it must have been for
+the child! She was glad to hear that she had not been badly treated or
+ill fed. She could trust the kindly Bridget for that.
+
+When the doctor came in Sunday morning a smile lighted up his face.
+
+"A real improvement," he exclaimed. "No fever and a normal
+temperature. Pulse stronger. Now, with nourishing diet and some salt
+in the baths we shall have her about again, though I've had several
+patients lie weeks in this state in the hot weather."
+
+Marilla glanced up and smiled back.
+
+"Why, I feel all well," she began. "Couldn't I get up."
+
+"Yes," said Miss Armitage. "Jane will you bring that small pink kimona
+and put it on."
+
+She took the doctor over in the bay window.
+
+"The Borden's cook came in to see the child. She seemed very fond of
+her and said she was the sweetest little thing. And that she was
+wonderful with the babies. I was glad she had not been 'put upon' as
+they say over to the house. And that she always had enough to eat. And
+she wasn't allowed to lift the babies----"
+
+"But dragged them about in the carriage. Such children are not strong
+enough for nursemaids. She was pretty well used up, and she'll be
+sometime getting over it."
+
+"I've taken a curious fancy to the child. Jane thinks she must have
+belonged to what we call 'nice people.' She flattered me by asking,
+the first coherent words she uttered if I was not 'a fairy godmother?'
+Think of that!" smiling.
+
+"Well, _I_ think you have been that many a time. I wonder you haven't
+filled the house with children."
+
+"I'm always full of pity for them. But when they are cured and put in
+some place where they can do their best, and have a little love and
+care, I go on to the next. I do not believe I am a real missionary,
+and I have a theory--it may not be a very noble one," and a soft
+color suffused her fine face, "that people who bring children into the
+world ought to be made to feel the responsibility of them and not
+shift them on society at large, trusting Providence to take care of
+them."
+
+"That is what ought to be taught--the responsibility of children.
+Women as well as men sin in this respect. The woman who forgives the
+drunken husband and takes him back until tired of working he goes off
+again leaving another child to add to the poorly-fed throng she can
+hardly take care of. I think the man who goes off the second time, or
+who does not take care of the children he has, should be put in some
+institution and made to earn their support. And the girls ought to be
+educated up to better ideas of marriage. It doesn't near always
+conduce to morality. I preach sermons to you--don't I?" and he gave a
+short laugh. "And we can never set the world straight. But these Homes
+and Republics are doing a good work in training children to self
+reliance."
+
+Jane wrapped the little girl in the kimona and lifted her up in the
+reclining chair.
+
+"Oh, that's so nice. How good you are! And everything is so lovely.
+Oh, I'll soon be well."
+
+Then the little face clouded over. Oh, she truly would not mind being
+ill if she could stay in this beautiful house where everything was so
+quiet. Jane went in and out, and presently she brought a cup of broth.
+How good it tasted!
+
+"Would you mind if I went back to bed? I'm so sleepy."
+
+"Oh, no," returned Jane, and she put her gently back on the cot where
+she soon fell asleep.
+
+There was slight rise of fever and restlessness about noon. She talked
+in broken snatches imploring Jack not to do this or that and not to
+pinch the babies. Then she was so tired, so tired! But about
+midafternoon, she seemed to rouse and come to herself and said she was
+hungry. There was broth and hot milk and some stewed fruit, and Jane
+brushed her hair that fell in a bed of rings and asked if she didn't
+want to sit up. She brought her over by the window so she could look
+out, but the back yard was very pretty for it was gay with blooming
+flowers.
+
+Miss Armitage had been to church, and at two she had a class of young
+girls who were clerks in stores. Half of them were going away on
+Monday to the Rest House for a week, and they were full of that. Two
+of them had never been before. Was it like Coney Island?
+
+"It is not far from the shore, the broad Sound that leads out to the
+ocean. But there are not side shows. Just rowing and bathing, and a
+ride every day in a big omnibus. And plenty of girls. Oh, you won't be
+lonesome;" and Miss Armitage smiled.
+
+"Another girl and I went away last summer to a house that wasn't
+country but a beautiful street with lawns in front. There were three
+ladies, and oh, they were so particular. They did not have any story
+papers and the books were all dull and religious and if you took up
+one you must put it back in the same place. They didn't like us to
+talk 'store' nor sing any street songs and one lady only played hymns
+on the piano. Oh, we _were_ so homesick."
+
+"The Rest House has a big farm and chickens and two cows, and a
+tennis court and croquet. And there are lovely walks. And hammocks and
+swings."
+
+"That's the ticket!" said one of the girls. "You want some fun."
+
+Miss Armitage did not check her. She thought of the amusements and
+pleasures of her youth. Then she came home to her little girl whose
+face lighted up with gladness, and who put out her thin hand.
+
+"You look lovely," Marilla said. "And I'm getting almost well."
+
+"That is good news," and the lady smiled.
+
+"Only it seems so queer when I try to think. It is such a long while.
+I seem to have been lost and couldn't find my way out. Do you know
+where the babies are?"
+
+"They all went down to Long Island. I sent them a new girl. And
+Bridget was here to inquire about you."
+
+"Oh, she was so good to me. I was a little afraid of her at first,
+especially when she said she'd 'skin me alive.' Don't you think it
+would hurt dreadfully? She used to threaten Jack, but she never did
+it. And she said that about the fairy godmother and the King's ball
+was a dream. What is it that goes to strange places when you are
+asleep? And how can you enjoy and remember all, and hear the music for
+days afterward? If there are two lives, one for day and one for night,
+why doesn't the night one go straight on?"
+
+"You'll have to ask the doctor these curious puzzles. They are beyond
+me."
+
+"Is Bridget at the house?" she inquired after a moment's thought.
+
+"She was going away to some cousin to stay a week as Mr. Borden will
+be down to--Bayside, I think it is, all the week."
+
+"When I get well I suppose I shall have to go back to the babies. You
+know I am a bound out girl--until I am eighteen. But they'll be
+growing bigger all the time. I wish they were as pretty as Jack. Don't
+you think all babies ought to be pretty? And have curly hair?"
+
+"I think the curly hair quite an addition."
+
+"There's another puzzle. Why should some hair curl and some hair keep
+straight?"
+
+"I don't know. But your's is curly," smiling.
+
+"Yes, I like it. At the Home there were two other girls with curly
+hair. And the nurse said it made us vain, so she cut it close to the
+skin and she said it wouldn't curl any more. That was last summer. But
+it did when it grew out, and I was glad. I tried to make the babies
+curl, and Mrs. Borden said she'd give me a silver dollar if I could.
+But it was _so_ straight and there wasn't much of it. Do you remember
+the fat little girl of the Campbell's Soups? The babies look a good
+deal like her. They have high foreheads and round eyes full of wonder,
+and such chubby cheeks. But Aunt Florence said Mr. Borden was just
+such a baby and he isn't at all chubby now and has dark eyes. Jack's
+are dark. Maybe they'll grow prettier. But they're good and--funny.
+They laugh over everything, and they seem to understand everything I
+say or read to them. I wonder if they will like the new girl."
+
+"She is very pleased and, I think, patient--four years older than
+you."
+
+"Oh, suppose they didn't want me back?" and the child drew a long
+breath of half fear.
+
+"There will be something else," in an assuring tone.
+
+Marilla leaned her head back on the pillow. She had talked herself
+tired. How queer that was, too, when she had talked for hours to the
+babies.
+
+"Would you like me to read to you?" inquired Miss Armitage.
+
+"Oh, yes, if it's verses. There's a curious music in verses that goes
+all through you, keeping time to something in your brain. I just love
+them."
+
+The lady found "Songs of Seven" with its musical lilt and the child
+listened wide-eyed as if it made pictures to her. Then the doctor came
+in and was very much pleased over her improvement.
+
+But the next day she was quite languid again. She took a few steps
+when suddenly everything swam before her eyes and she would have
+fallen but for Jane's strong arm.
+
+"Oh, you don't suppose I can never walk any more?" she cried in
+affright. "For there was a nurse at the Home who fell down that way
+and she had been very well, too. But something happened to her hips. I
+can't think what they called it, and she never could walk again. They
+had to send her to the hospital and she could get about just a little
+on crutches. Oh, dear" and Marilla began to cry.
+
+"There don't think of such a thing. It was only weakness," comforted
+Miss Armitage. "Once when I was ill I fainted a great many times for
+just nothing at all. You have not had a chance to get strong yet."
+
+Marilla recalled seeing the nurse brought down stairs on a stretcher,
+they called it. And the doctor said she could never walk again. Oh,
+how dreadful that would be. She turned her face over on the pillow and
+let the tears drop silently, and she could not swallow any supper,
+something lay so heavy on her breast. Miss Armitage kissed her, and
+Marilla twined her arms around the soft white neck hardly hidden by
+the lace. There had never been any one to love during the later years.
+And her mother had been busy and away in a store.
+
+"Don't worry, dear," said the soothing voice. "God takes care of us
+all."
+
+The sun was shining the next morning and the next door canary hanging
+out on the back porch was singing with all his might and main. Such
+long sweet warbles, such a merry staccato with little pauses, as if he
+asked--"Now, what do you think of that?" and the child laughed with a
+sense of glee. Oh, how nice it would be to be a bird. But she wouldn't
+want to live in a cage _all_ the time.
+
+Jane came and gave her a bath, rubbed her softly but thoroughly across
+the hips and up and down the spine, holding her up with one strong
+arm. Marilla took a frightened step, then another and laughingly flung
+her arms around Jane's neck, crying--
+
+"Oh, I can walk! I can walk!"
+
+"Why did you think you could never walk again?" Jane laughed
+wholesomely.
+
+"I felt so queer--and I thought of the woman at the Home."
+
+"But she must have been quite an old body. They do get paralyzed;
+children don't. Oh, you must not think of dreadful things. Come, see
+how you can walk."
+
+Jane's arm was around her and she led her back to the room and dressed
+her. Miss Armitage came up just then and greeted her with a happy
+smile. But Marilla felt shaky and was very glad to sit down on the
+couch.
+
+"Now I shall bring you up some breakfast," said Jane.
+
+"Don't you suppose I could go down and have some real breakfast at the
+table--not today, but sometime."
+
+Then Marilla flushed. She was a bound-out girl and had always taken
+her meals with Bridget.
+
+"Yes, I think so. We will see what the doctor says this morning. I
+shall have to go out presently and see twenty girls get started for a
+vacation. They are in stores and factories, and have two weeks in the
+summer, and the Rest House doesn't charge any board--they earn so
+little. When you are well enough to travel about, I must take you out
+to the House."
+
+Maybe she wouldn't have to go back to the babies right away!
+
+The breakfast tasted good, though it was only a poached egg and some
+toast. But she didn't seem very hungry, and though she felt sort of
+joyously well at heart her body was tired and she lay on the couch to
+rest. The doctor found her quiet and there was a whimsical light
+playing over his face and settling in his eyes.
+
+"So you haven't run away yet?" he began.
+
+"I don't believe I could run very far. Yet I seem quite well--and it's
+queer, too."
+
+Jane said you fainted yesterday.
+
+"Well it was--something, and then I was frightened--"
+
+"Stand up a moment." He helped her to her feet, then he passed his
+hand down her spine and over her hips. "Does it hurt any?" he asked.
+
+"No, not a real hurt."
+
+"You fell off of the stoop over there, a boy said."
+
+"The baby dropped something and I went to pick it up, I guess I
+stumbled. And when I turned round everything was upside down and black
+and I don't remember any more until I was over here. Miss Armitage was
+so good, is so good."
+
+"Yes; well it might have been worse. But I think now you are on the
+high road to health again."
+
+"I've never been real sick unless this is it," and she gave a vague
+smile.
+
+"I think it is," nodding humorously. "The babies have been rather too
+much for you this hot weather. Were you very fond of them?"
+
+"Well, they were not bad and very funny. You can't love bad people."
+
+"Oh, can't you?"
+
+"No, you can't," with an emphasis. "You may like them and think
+they're pretty and sweet sometimes, but you don't truly love them I
+mean you wouldn't choose them if you had you choice."
+
+"Which you don't often have in this world. Now what would be your
+choice?"
+
+"Oh, I'd like to stay here. I don't know what I'd do if I was Miss
+Armitage's bound-out girl. Jane does everything and--cook does the
+meals. She might let me wipe the dishes. But--maybe you don't know I'm
+bound-out to Mrs. Borden until I'm eighteen, so I shall have to go
+back. And the babies need me. I'm teaching them to talk. I'm almost
+Cinderella, not the kitchen kind, though I wouldn't mind that with
+Bridget."
+
+"I heard you went to the King's ball with a fairy godmother. Would you
+mind telling me?"
+
+Marilla colored. Yes, she would be quite pretty if she wasn't so
+thin.
+
+"Why it was just a dream. And I was asleep by the kitchen stove. I
+hadn't any belief in her at first. Oh, do you know anything about that
+curious part of your brain that dreams?"
+
+"No, I do not. I think no one really does. I suppose you had been
+reading about Cinderella."
+
+"I used to read it over to the babies, or tell them. But there was Red
+Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk and Hop o' My Thumb. Jack had
+them all, but I never dreamed of them. And the babies seemed to
+understand them all. They laughed at the funny places and they looked
+so shocked at the dreadful things, and were so pleased when the old
+wolf fell down the chimney, dead. Why it was just delightful to me,
+only sometimes I did get tired talking so much and had to wait for my
+breath."
+
+"Are you tired now?" and he listened a moment to her heart.
+
+"Oh, no. I feel all good and rested, and Jane said I ate a nice
+breakfast. I'm almost well, though I wouldn't mind being ill a long,
+long while if I could stay here. There was a little girl once who died
+and went to heaven. Miss Florence had the book. That wasn't any fairy
+story, and I think this must be a good deal like heaven. It's so quiet
+with no one troubling you, and when Miss Armitage plays----"
+
+Her soft eyes were like wind-blown lakes and the far-away sight moved
+him inexpressibly.
+
+"Suppose you tell me about the dream?"
+
+"Oh, you'll only laugh at me."
+
+"No, I won't laugh. I never knew a Cinderella who went to the palace
+and danced with the King's son."
+
+He drew her up a little in the bed and placed the pillows around her.
+Then he seated himself on the couch at her feet and smiled so
+persuasively that she really couldn't resist. She pictured the kitchen
+and how comfortably she had settled herself and--she really couldn't
+have been asleep she saw everything so plainly and, at first, she did
+not believe the fairy godmother.
+
+Dr. Richards was really charmed as she went on. It was all so vivid,
+so beautiful. She appeared to have a better command of language than
+most children of her years, and the whole picture was exquisite. Why,
+it seemed very real to him. And her face was a study. Surely the child
+must be a genius, she made the things so real and not overdrawn. A
+veritable fairy palace.
+
+Then she drew a long breath and a lovely smile irradiated her eyes.
+
+"I'm so glad I went," she said in a satisfied tone, freighted with a
+certain joyousness that appealed to his heart. She really was
+transfigured at that moment. What possibilities were lying in her soul
+unawakened. The little bound-out girl would never, could never realize
+them alone in her fight with life. For he had known:
+
+             "Full many a flower is born to blush unseen
+             And waste its sweetness on the desert, air."
+
+When a helping hand would have transplanted it into a garden of
+appreciation.
+
+A sudden fatherhood stirred within him. He had thought more than once
+of the woman he would like for his wife; now he wanted this little
+girl to grow up by his side and bloom with the sacred joy within her.
+
+"I'm glad, too," he said in a strange, full voice that trembled with
+emotion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+DOCTOR RICHARDS
+
+
+Doctor Richards went slowly down stairs, Miss Armitage let herself in
+with her latch key.
+
+"How is my little patient today?" she asked.
+
+"Stronger in some respects. But I don't quite like the heart action.
+And I'm afraid I haven't improved it any."
+
+"Oh, you did not scold her--?" in a half upbraiding tone.
+
+"No, no. But I coaxed that dream story out of her and several other
+things. In a year or two more those Borden babies will have her all
+worn out. So many of the little Cinderellas don't get half a chance
+with life, the stolid ones do better. But she could hold an audience
+with that story, if she was not afraid of the audience," smiling a
+little, "and the lovely expressions that flit over her face! She is
+not the usual child."
+
+"I've been a little afraid to think that. So many of the child
+prodigies flatten out and make ordinary people."
+
+"And some of them never get the true opportunity. I've a boy under my
+observation who is going to make a first-class surgeon, and I'm
+persuading a man to educate him. His father is going to put him in a
+foundry. Think of hands fitted for the nicest surgery being coarsened
+by contact with rough iron and hard tools. He would lose the fine
+touch by hard manual labor if he worked for his education. No one
+knows all the children sacrificed to Moloch. But the little girl! Of
+course she thinks of going back. She isn't even tugging at the chain.
+But I, for one, don't believe God puts people in just the place He
+wants them to stay, when He must see that they can't work out.
+Well--did you get the girls off?"
+
+"Yes, and they were a delighted lot. Three only are to have their
+wages paid. Yet an employer told me about a week ago he had subscribed
+twenty-five dollars to one of these girls' summer homes. That at four
+dollars a week would have paid six girl's a week's wages. His name
+goes down on the generous list of course. Oh, I don't wonder people
+like to do the things that show! The things that only God can know do
+not come up for credit. But it is 'deal justly' first of all."
+
+"I'd like to stay and talk--but there is a serious matter before me.
+Take good care of our little girl--but I needn't charge _you_. I'll be
+in again tomorrow."
+
+Miss Armitage went slowly upstairs, paused a few moments at her desk
+to jot down some items. When she went through to the next room,
+Marilla was asleep. The little face was framed in with rings of
+shining hair, the lips were palely pink and parted with a half smile,
+the skin still showed blue veins. With a little care, such as rich
+people gave their children, she might grow up pretty, she would always
+be sweet. And the pudgy babies with their wondering eyes loved her!
+
+Marilla improved slowly but surely. She walked from room to room, and
+one day she went down stairs to luncheon. Just the small round table
+in the recess by the side window set out with all manner of pretty
+dishes and a pretty glass basket of flowers in the center. And there
+was Jane to wait upon them, and she seemed so pleased to have Marilla
+down stairs though the little girl had held tight to the bannister,
+lest she should lose her balance and fall. Everything looked so cool
+and sweet. The pictures were of woods and lakes, or a bit of sedgy
+river. There were fine sheer draperies at the windows, a tall vase of
+flowers on the beautiful centerpiece that adorned the real dining
+table.
+
+Oh, how good the delicate asparagus soup tasted. And the cold chicken,
+the rice and the dainty potato cake. Marilla was all smiles inside,
+she could feel the quiver. She had not been waited on this way since
+the night in fairy land. Bridget had a way of shoving things toward
+you or asking you to get up and help yourself. But then, Bridget had
+done the cooking and was tired, and Marilla was glad to wait on her.
+
+After the dessert, they went through to the drawing room and that
+looked lovely to the little girl. There was a portfolio of engravings
+on a sort of stand, and you could sit there and turn them over without
+any effort. There were so many pretty children among them, and some of
+royal families that were to be kings and queens.
+
+The postman came and Jane brought in a handful of letters. Miss
+Armitage looked them over casually. Here was one from Bayside and she
+opened it.
+
+"My dear Miss Armitage," it began.
+
+"I don't know how we can thank you for taking Marilla in as you did,
+and by this time I hope she is about well. Mr. Borden comes up on
+Saturday morning to see a client and will call for Marilla at about
+two. We simply can't do without her. We've had the most awful time!
+Two babies getting four teeth apiece are enough to drive one crazy.
+There was no trouble about the other teeth, but I think it would not
+have been so bad if we'd had Marilla. They have missed her and cried
+after her and no one could get them asleep until they were fairly worn
+out and then they sobbed in the most heartbreaking way. We've had no
+rest day or night. Ellen is very good and patient, but the babies
+simply won't let her touch them. Marilla always knew just what to do.
+She was so entertaining. She certainly was born for a nurse girl,
+though I thought she was most too young when I took her, I've never
+let her lift them, for they're like a lump of lead. They have grown
+thinner and I do hope it will keep on, unless Marilla makes them laugh
+so much they fat up again. They have each cut two teeth and they had
+to be lanced. Sister and I have had an awful time. We shall be so glad
+to get Marilla back. I think Ellen will not be a success as a child's
+nurse. And I can get her a first-class place as a parlor maid where
+she can have eighteen dollars a month, which I couldn't afford to pay.
+There is a cook and a laundress kept, so she won't lose by coming
+down. She is very nice, pleasant and tidy, and we had to have some one
+in the emergency. And poor little Marilla must have gone to a hospital
+but for your kindness. We are all so obliged and if Mr. Borden can be
+of service to you, sometime, he will be very glad. These are the
+favors money cannot repay.
+
+"So if you will have Marilla ready about two o'clock on Saturday, Mr.
+Borden will call for her. If she needs a dress will you kindly
+purchase it and tell him. We have all her clothes down here. There is
+a beautiful big lawn with hammocks and everything, and if she is not
+very strong yet she can have sea bathing which is splendid, and fine
+diet. And we certainly are your deeply grateful friends.
+
+                                                   "Mrs. Mary Borden."
+
+Miss Armitage read the letter over twice and watched the pale little
+girl enjoying the pictures. It was not quite a heartless letter but,
+it had no special sympathy for the poor little Cinderella, if she did
+not have to sit in the ashes. Then she laid it by and went at the
+others.
+
+"Please Miss Armitage, may I go upstairs? I am so tired. What do you
+suppose makes me feel tired so easily?"
+
+"You are not strong yet. Yes, we will go upstairs and you must lie
+down."
+
+She placed her arm around the slender body. Marilla kissed the white
+hand.
+
+The doctor came in the next morning, and Miss Armitage handed him the
+letter.
+
+"Has the average woman any soul!" he exclaimed angrily.
+
+"Mrs. Borden has had no means of knowing how severe the case really
+was----"
+
+"See here, she might have written on--say Tuesday and inquired. Why
+Marilla might have died with just a little more. She doesn't go. She
+won't be strong enough to bother with teething babies in some time
+yet, if at all."
+
+"Oh, you don't think----"
+
+"She has a weak heart. It may have come from the shock and there is
+time enough for her to outgrow it, with care. Are you going to tire of
+her?"
+
+She saw there was no doubt in his face and smiled.
+
+"Marilla's no more trouble than a kitten. Jane is positively in love
+with her. I'm not sure but I shall ask to have her transferred to
+me."
+
+"Hilda Armitage you ought to be the mother of girls. I don't know
+about the boys," with a doubtful laugh.
+
+"I've had two disappointments."
+
+"I told you that Conklin girl was not worth the trouble. She's singing
+in a vaudeville show and it _does_ suit her. You couldn't get any
+refined ambition in that vain and silly brain. It is casting pearls
+before swine. Save the pearls for some one worthy. _She_ doesn't go
+back to the Borden's this summer. When you get tired of her----"
+
+"Shall we quarrel about her?" She glanced up with an odd, humorous
+smile.
+
+"Perhaps we shall in the end, but that is a good way off. When that
+man comes today, just let him see Marilla."
+
+Mr. Borden came punctually at two and was quite profuse in his thanks
+for Miss Armitage's kindness.
+
+"I regret to say that Marilla has progressed very slowly. She had
+quite an exhausting fever at first. She was not able to come
+downstairs until yesterday, and lies down several times through the
+day."
+
+"Is it possible! Why we thought--and we need her so much! Did you--"
+he flushed a little, "have a good physician?"
+
+"An excellent one whose practice is mostly among children. He thought
+her quite worn out, but it was being overcome with the heat and she
+fell off the steps. It was near congestion of the brain I believe."
+
+"I'm awfully sorry. We were so busy just then, and my wife was worried
+to death. The babies had always been so good, but I can't imagine
+anything being so--so dreadful as they've been for a week. I've
+scarcely slept an hour at a time and Mrs. Borden is clear worn out.
+She thinks just the sight of Marilla would comfort them. We might go
+on keeping that Ellen, though the babies won't take to her. I think
+Marilla charmed them; but they're always been good until now. And
+there's four more teeth to come through," in a despairing sort of
+tone.
+
+Miss Armitage had large sympathy and she felt really sorry for him.
+Yet how providential that Marilla had missed the care!
+
+"You have had a very bad time, certainly, and it is fortunate that
+Marilla didn't give out on your hands. Would you like to see her,
+though I think she is asleep."
+
+"Yes--oh yes. If we kept Ellen, don't you think she might come down
+next week. The sea-bathing would no doubt strengthen her."
+
+"She has some heart weakness. I'm afraid she couldn't stand the
+bathing."
+
+Then she rose and led the way up stairs.
+
+Marilla was asleep. Mr. Borden studied her in surprise.
+
+"Why, she's grown dreadfully thin. Yes, she must have been very ill,
+but like the babies, she'd always been well. I'm awful sorry. I don't
+know what we shall do. Mrs. Borden had counted so on her coming. And
+she said over half a dozen times that I must not forget to thank you
+for all this kindness. You must send me the doctor's bill. She's such
+a nice child, Miss Armitage."
+
+Marilla stirred and opened her eyes, closed them sighed and opened
+them again, then half murmured--"Oh, doctor," and started.
+
+"Marilla, child, don't you remember Mr. Borden?"
+
+"I had not told her about your coming. We keep her as tranquil as
+possible."
+
+"Oh, Mr. Borden!" Marilla sat up. "And the babies?"
+
+"The babies are in a very poor way, Marilla. They certainly are
+homesick for you. We try to keep them comforted with the promise of
+you. Oh, I hoped you would be well enough to go down with me this
+afternoon. Their mother will be telling them you will surely come.
+Poor little girl, but you are going to get well, aren't you? And Jack
+thinks there's no fun without you, and no one to read to him or tell
+him stories."
+
+The child gave a vague smile. She was very glad to be away from Jack;
+indeed, sick babies did not appear attractive to her just now, but she
+said--
+
+"Oh, I'm very sorry. The doctor said it was the heat and----"
+
+"It was awfully hot that week. That made the babies worse. Oh, if I
+could take you down just to amuse them. You made them laugh so,
+Marilla. You know just how to do it. Well--it can't be helped, but you
+must try to get well and have some good of the pretty country place.
+Is there anything I can do for you?"
+
+"Miss Armitage is so good. And Jane and the doctor. And the yard is
+full of flowers. I'm very happy."
+
+"I suppose so. Maybe you won't want to come back. But you belong to
+us, you know and we can't give you up."
+
+Then he turned to go.
+
+"Will you kiss the babies for me and tell them how sorry I am, and ask
+Jack not to tease them, and--and--" she swallowed over a great lump in
+her throat--"I shall come back when I get well."
+
+"That's a good girl. Good-bye. I shall be in town next week and will
+come in and see you."
+
+He gave the little hand a clasp. Miss Armitage went down with him.
+Marilla turned her face over on the pillow and cried as if her heart
+would break. Could she go back to the babies and Jack? And Bridget
+wasn't as sweet as Jane, and there was sharp Aunt Hetty----
+
+"My dear! My dear!" said the soft voice with its infinite pity, and
+the sweet lips kissed hers.
+
+"Oh, Miss Armitage, won't God take you to heaven if you pray very
+hard? I should hate to leave you and the dear, nice doctor, but I'm
+afraid I don't want to go back to the babies and Jack. I'm tired of
+them, and I feel as if it was foolish to be funny when there are so
+many sweet things to think of and books to read and your beautiful
+music. But I must go away from all that, and somehow heaven looks
+nicer. And when you die doesn't an angel come and take you in his arms
+and just carry you up and up to the other side of the sky where
+everything is peace and loveliness, and no one will torment you----"
+
+"Oh my child, perhaps God wants you to live here a little longer and
+do some work for him. The doctor would be very sorry not to have you
+get well. Some one might say--'He let that little girl die when he
+might have saved her,' but they wouldn't know it was because she kept
+brooding over it all the time and would make no effort to get well.
+God knows what is best for us."
+
+"I didn't mind about going back. But today it seemed to be--dreadful,"
+with a convulsive sob.
+
+"Then we have spoiled you. Oh, I am sorry for that."
+
+"Oh, dear Miss Armitage, don't be sorry when you have been so good.
+But I don't quite understand how anyone can bind you out and make you
+stay years if you didn't want to."
+
+"But children do not know what is best for them. Some go wandering
+round the streets without any home and are picked up and put in a
+place almost like a prison where they have to work whether they like
+it or not. And some even have cruel fathers and mothers. You said the
+Bordens were good to you. Would you rather be there or at the Home?"
+
+"Oh, I'd rather be there than at the Home, but----" and she swallowed
+hard over a sob.
+
+"If they worked you beyond reason or half starved you a complaint
+could be made but they all seem to love you----"
+
+Miss Armitage smiled with a soft kind of sadness, as if she wished the
+truth were not quite so true, and the things that looked so delightful
+were not so often the thing it was best to give up for honor's sake.
+
+"Yes, they do love me, babies and all, and of course I must go back
+when I am well enough."
+
+Then she turned her face away and tried to keep back the tears. Jane
+entered at that moment and the tension was broken.
+
+Miss Armitage read verses to her after she was in bed that evening,
+and kissed her good night with motherly tenderness. Then she sat for
+some time and thought.
+
+Why should she have taken a fancy to this little girl? She had seen
+prettier children who were homeless and helped provide for them. The
+Bordens were not rough or heartless. Bridget had spoken well of them.
+The child had a comfortable home, and she was bound in honor. It would
+be mean to entice her to break the bargain, to make her dissatisfied.
+No, she must not do that.
+
+Miss Armitage's life lines had run along smoothly through girlhood.
+Her mother was a widow and they had a comfortable income. Hilda had a
+good voice and sang in church, gave some music lessons. There had been
+a lover and a dear friend and the old tragedy had occurred, that might
+have been more heartbreaking if her mother had not been taken ill. For
+days her recovery was doubtful. Then an uncle at Los Angeles besought
+her to come out to that genial clime and spend her remaining days with
+him, for now he was quite alone.
+
+Hilda made all preparations. Such of the furniture as had intrinsic
+value was to be stored with a friend, the rest sold. And then Mrs.
+Armitage had an unlooked for relapse and Hilda went out alone.
+
+Her uncle was a kindly man past middle life and he took an instant
+fancy to Hilda. The house and its surroundings were loveliness
+itself. Life here would be really enchanting. It was such a beautiful
+world.
+
+"But you have not seen half of it yet. Hilda, what would you say to
+going abroad? I've wanted to half my life. But my wife, as you have
+heard, was an invalid and not inclined to travel. We lost our two
+children. I'm not too old to start out now and view some things with
+the eyes of an enthusiastic young girl."
+
+So abroad they went. She had seven years of the richness of the old
+world, learning languages, listening to music that stirred every pulse
+of her soul, haunting art galleries with loving companionship that
+somehow saw the best and most beautiful in everything if it was not
+always high art.
+
+And then she returned alone. It seemed more of a loss than the death
+of her mother. She remained awhile in California settling up some
+business and then the longing seized her to return to the home of her
+youth, to have a real home where she could make the center she was
+still dreaming of, surround herself with friends and do something
+worth while with her money.
+
+Newton had changed as well, enlarged its boundaries and made itself
+beautiful at the northern end. The shops and factories were kept down
+by the railroad center where two important lines crossed, and the
+river was navigable. Then Main Street was devoted to really fine
+stores, Brandon to offices and men's businesses, the Postoffice being
+there. A handsome library building adorned Broadway, there were Orphan
+Homes, an Old Ladies' Home, a Social Settlement.
+
+Miss Armitage liked the aspect of it. Boarding at a hotel for awhile
+she looked about and decided on Loraine place. The houses stood in a
+row, but they had a pretty court yard in front, and a real stretch of
+ground at the back for grass and flowers and two fine fruit trees.
+
+Of course old friends sought her out. Perhaps the fortune helped. The
+young girls of her time were matrons with growing children. How odd it
+seemed! She thought sometimes that she felt reprehensibly young, as if
+she was having girlhood over again in her heart, but it was a richer,
+wiser and more fervent girlhood, with the added experiences of the
+woman.
+
+There were many things for her to take an interest in but they finally
+settled around the babies and little children's hospital, and the
+Settlement House. In a way, she was fond of the sweet, helpless babies
+who seemed so very dependent on human kindness. If there was one of
+her own flesh and blood it would take possession of her very soul, all
+her thoughts, all her affection. But it should have been hers earlier
+in life. Now she wanted companionship. She could not wait for it to
+develop and then find unpleasant traits that had come from alien
+blood. No, she could not adopt a baby and wait a dozen years to know
+whether it would satisfy or not.
+
+She had helped two or three girls to better things. One through the
+last two years of High School and who was now teaching. And there had
+been one with a charming voice and an attractive face who had been
+injured in a mill and who would never have perfect use of her right
+hand. If she could be trained for a singer!
+
+She and Doctor Richards came to words about her. He said plainly she
+would not be worth the money spent upon her. But Miss Armitage
+insisted on spending it a year when the girl threw up her friend and
+joined a concert troupe, slipping presently into vaudeville where she
+_was_ a success.
+
+And out of the dispute came a proffer of love and marriage. Alvah
+Richards had begun life at the opposite pole from Miss Armitage. There
+had been a fortune, a love for the study of medicine, a degree in
+Vienna and one at Paris. Then most of the fortune had been swept away.
+He returned to America and some way drifted to Newton. They were just
+starting the hospital and he found plenty to do. He could live
+frugally. To help his still poorer fellow creatures in suffering, to
+restore them to strength and teach them to be useful members of
+society, or to comfort them and make the path easier over the river to
+the other country; this was his highest aim.
+
+Miss Armitage was almost dumb with surprise. She raised her hand in
+entreaty.
+
+"Oh, don't! don't," she cried. "It is quite impossible; it cannot be.
+I like you very much, but I am not in love. And then----"
+
+"Then what?" with eager eyes and incisive voice.
+
+"You had a birthday last week. I heard you telling it. You are
+thirty-one."
+
+"Well--" There was a proud smile on his manly face.
+
+"And when my birthday comes, I shall be thirty-six. When you are
+sixty, rich in experience, famous, a real man among men, I shall be
+quite an old woman. No, I shouldn't do it for your sake."
+
+"As if a few years made any difference! Why you could discount seven
+years at least. Have you been loved so much that you can throw away a
+man's honest, honorable, tender love that will last all his life, that
+wear it as you like, in any stress, you can never wear out."
+
+"Oh," she cried. "You have spoiled a splendid friendship. I liked you
+so much, I have no love to give in return."
+
+"Then let us be friends again. I would rather have you for a friend
+than any other woman for a wife. I simply will not give you up."
+
+So the pendulum went on swinging evenly between the two points, when
+Cinderella entered both lives.
+
+And now it was Sunday morning and the chimes were pealing--"Oh, come
+all ye faithful." Marilla listened with a throb of joy, though she did
+not know the words they were saying in sweetest melody. Miss Armitage
+came and stood by the cot with a cordial good morning.
+
+Marilla stretched out her hand and glanced up with an entreating sort
+of smile.
+
+"Was I very bad last night?" she asked in a wistful tone.
+
+"Bad? Why--what was it?"
+
+"I've been thinking it over. Oh, I didn't want to go back to Mrs.
+Borden. It is so lovely and quiet and beautiful here. But it _is_
+right. I am her bound-out girl, and I _was_ glad to go there. You
+wouldn't like me to be always looking for what was nice and pleasant
+and shirking other things, would you?"
+
+"Dear." She stooped and kissed her. She had been going over some
+arguments fitted for a child's understanding, and she was afraid of a
+rather painful time. And the worst to her was the fact that she had
+come to love the child and really desired her.
+
+"The babies, you know, are so fond of me, and they are all very good.
+So I wouldn't have any reason for not staying with them. And it will
+be only five years more, then I shall be eighteen. And I thought--"
+flushing daintily, "that maybe Jane might marry, and you would want
+some one in her place and if it was--me," rather tremulously--"I could
+come--I love you so. I'd be your Cinderella always. And when I go back
+it will be like the King's ball--I shall keep thinking how lovely it
+was for you to bring me here instead of sending me to a hospital, and
+it will comfort me just as the music did."
+
+Miss Armitage bent over and kissed her but there were tears in her
+eyes. She was touched with the child's reasoning that was so like
+heroism.
+
+"Yes, dear," she said. "We will think of it that way. And if you
+should be ill at any time, I will have you brought here, and you shall
+stop when you take the babies out and let me see them, and rest a
+little."
+
+"Oh that will be just lovely. You are so good," and she kissed the
+white hand lying on her shoulder.
+
+Then Jane came in and she had her bath. How delightful it was to be
+rubbed so carefully, to have her curly mop brushed.
+
+"I ought to dress myself now. Why I'm not sick at all only I get tired
+easily, but I am stronger every day."
+
+The breakfast was so nice. And to be waited upon! Marilla gave an
+inward laugh of delight.
+
+And while Miss Armitage was at church, Dr. Richards came and bundled
+her up, carried her downstairs and deposited her in the buggy. He was
+very merry, somehow. He was going out in the country and, oh, how
+beautiful everything was! There had been a shower in the night and the
+air was full of fragrance from the grass, the pines and cedars, the
+orchards, wild flowers, and newly cut hay, that had not all been
+gathered in. Children ran about or swung in hammocks. Hens were fairly
+shouting with no regard for Sunday. Birds were caroling all sorts of
+joyous tunes and the tree twigs were gaily dancing. And here and there
+such beautiful drifts went over the sky, ships, she called them. They
+were going to fairy land--something that was not quite heaven, but a
+lovely place for all that. There must be so many lovely places in
+this great world! Over the ocean where Miss Armitage had been, and she
+recalled the castles and palaces and beautiful woods, and peasants
+dancing on the green and laughing; that she had seen in the portfolio
+of engravings. And the legends she had listened to! Oh, if she could
+go to school and learn ever so many things _now_, for when she was
+eighteen she would be too old, and a kind of perplexity settled in her
+smooth forehead.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A DAY TO BE REMEMBERED
+
+
+Dr. Richards had been studying the changes in the child's face. It was
+like reading a book, but it had many variations. Her thoughts must
+have traveled far and wide. What were they?
+
+"Are you very happy?" he asked.
+
+"Happy?" she echoed, wonderingly. "Why it is a beautiful Sunday. One
+ought to be happy--here with you and watching all these lovely
+things."
+
+"Are Sundays happier than any other days?"
+
+"Well--" slowly. "They ought to be. It seems as if it was the day of
+the Sun, and that's always glad and merry."
+
+"But when it rains or is cloudy?"
+
+"Oh, you _know_ it is there, and maybe He is fighting away the clouds.
+And He draws up the water. I read that in a book--and when He gets
+enough He lets it fall down as He did last night and that makes the
+world so fresh and sweet. And there are fifty-two Sundays when you
+ought not----"
+
+"What?" watching the shadow in her eyes.
+
+"Well, I think you ought not work very much. I suppose some people
+have to when you have meals to get and babies to see to. I go to
+Sunday school with Jack and I like it so much. I've learned ever so
+many of the songs. But the lessons puzzle me. They are about God--we
+had them in the Home, you know, and God seems so big and strange. Do
+you know all about him."
+
+"No, child, and no one, not even ministers can know all, so you need
+not worry about that. God has the whole world in His keeping. Don't
+you like the week days?"
+
+"Well, they don't seem to have the same joy in them, only at Miss
+Armitage's every day seems like Sunday. But I keep counting them. You
+see, I'll be thirteen in September. Then when we've had fifty-two
+Sundays I'll be fourteen and so on, until I am eighteen."
+
+"And then?" in a sweet kind of tone.
+
+"Why I won't be bound-out any more. It's right for me to stay, _she_
+said so, but it would seem such a long while if I was just counting
+the years. And Sunday comes so quick, most times, and then you can be
+glad."
+
+What a touch of philosophy for a child!
+
+"But--they are good to you at Bordens?"
+
+"Oh, yes. I _love_ Bridget, though I was afraid of her at first. But
+the grown people have each other and since I don't really belong to
+them--oh, I can't explain it," and the knot came back to her brow.
+"You see when you're bound-out and going away for a while they can't
+feel the same to you. They're never real cross and they don't whip you
+as they did at the Home, and you have nicer things to eat. Sometimes
+when you were awful hungry you didn't seem to get enough. You wanted
+one more piece of bread, but you couldn't have it. Oh, I like it so
+much better at Mrs. Borden's Only Jack--Are boys always bad?"
+
+"I guess they are for the most part," laughing.
+
+"But he will go to school again. And his father says he will outgrow
+it. His father truly does want him to be good, and he said I must tell
+when he pinched me or kicked me, and he would punish him. But I don't
+like to, always, for he denies it, and his mother isn't pleased when I
+do. You can feel when people do not like you to tell things. At the
+Home when you told tales they whipped the child that was bad, and then
+they whipped you for telling tales. It didn't seem as if that was
+quite fair, so I tried never to tell on anyone."
+
+"Generally speaking, it is a bad habit," he commented, gravely.
+
+Then they had reached their destination. A poor old paralyzed man sat
+in a wheeling chair on the porch. Medical skill could not do much for
+him, but friendship and interest made pleasant times to remember when
+the hours were long and weary. Dr. Richards had brought some
+illustrated magazines, and they talked over the happenings of the
+week.
+
+A sweet-faced, rather elderly lady brought Marilla a rocking chair,
+and asked her if she was the doctor's patient. Then she offered her a
+piece of cake and a lovely pear, and afterward took her down to see
+the flower garden that was fairly rioting in beauty, and a flock of
+snowy white chickens, as well as some fine pigeons that circled
+around like swallows. She was the wife, and there was a daughter who
+had gone to church. She talked of Dr. Richards, how good and
+comforting he was to "father." Marilla thought he must be good to
+everybody.
+
+"I've had a lovely time with you," the child said. Then she shook
+hands with "father," who said--
+
+"I s'pose you're the doctor's little girl?" His mind was not always
+clear on some points. "Come again, won't you?"
+
+She smiled and nodded. "The doctor's little girl," how sweet it
+sounded! But of course that could not be.
+
+They had a delightful ride home though it was growing warmer. How
+beautiful her eyes were today--a sort of gray-violet, and the bronze
+lashes almost curled. And as he listened to her soft, flowing voice,
+he kept thinking--if he was to marry some one and have a little girl
+full of quaint ideas as this one was! But it would take a long, long
+while, and he sighed.
+
+Miss Armitage was sitting by the parlor window when they returned, and
+she came to the door to meet them.
+
+"I ran away with your little invalid," the doctor exclaimed. "Haven't
+I brought her back improved?"
+
+Her cheeks were positively rosy and were rounded out by the exquisite
+shading. She clasped her small arms around Miss Armitage.
+
+"And I've had the most splendid time! A real Sunday. We've been out in
+the beautiful country where birds were singing hymns and I'm just full
+of happiness."
+
+They had kept their pact, these two people; they could not have worked
+together otherwise, and each one was following the same path, for the
+good of the poor of this world.
+
+"I am very glad----"
+
+"Then you are not going to scold me?" with a questioning smile. "I
+promised her a drive you know, and today was rather a holiday to me."
+
+"Why, she doesn't scold," cried Marilla in a sort of joyful
+contradiction.
+
+"Won't you come in and have some dinner with us?"
+
+"Pete would grumble if he stood here an hour. Now, if you would change
+it to supper--and a cup of tea----"
+
+"Let be a cup of tea, then. I want to talk over some plans."
+
+"Very well. Expect me on the mark. Six, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes," with a smile.
+
+"Oh, I'm just delighted," and Marilla squeezed his hand.
+
+"So you had a lovely time. Where did you go?"
+
+"Oh--through the park and then out on such a beautiful road. Things
+seem nicer on Sunday, because there isn't so much noise. And there was
+an old man who has to get about in a chair with little wheels, and
+can't walk any more. And the lady gave me some cake and such a
+luscious pear, and asked me to come again. I just wished that there
+was some little girl from the Home living there."
+
+Marilla had her face and hands washed, and a fresh white frock put on.
+She was so bright and chatty and really charming. But after dinner she
+lay in the Morris chair and Miss Armitage read her to sleep. It seemed
+as if she had improved so much in the twenty-four hours.
+
+They had such a genial and charming supper, and Miss Armitage played
+on the organ afterward and then talked about the girls who were going
+to the Rest House next week. Five of them were very much worn out.
+They would need to stay a full fortnight.
+
+"And I think one of them needs some medical attention. Come to the
+Settlement and see her before she starts. And you know I am booked for
+that Canadian journey with the Winslows. I am almost sorry I promised.
+Do you think it would be safe to let the child go to the Bordens on
+Saturday?"
+
+"You won't let her go back! She is worth something better than baby
+tending."
+
+"You shouldn't have cured her up so soon! I don't exactly see my way
+clear or I should keep her for good and all. I like her very much. You
+may laugh at me about my swans being ordinary geese--but we must admit
+the Bordens have the right to her at present. And I do not want to
+make bad friends with them, seeing that in law he may exact the pound
+of flesh. They may tire of her or she may not be able to stand the
+babies and Jack. I could leave her here with Jane or send her to the
+Home. But she is very much resigned to the return. She has a curious
+bit of conscience about it. So it is best to let her try again."
+
+"I can't bear the thought of it." He uttered it with vehemence.
+
+"I don't like it much myself. But it seems the only way at present.
+Bridget will look out for her. We can't accuse them of any cruelty or
+neglect."
+
+"And she fairly worships you--fairy godmother."
+
+"I wish I were. I should change the lot of more than one Cinderella.
+Well--we will wait and see."
+
+Marilla came in with a bunch of flowers.
+
+"Jane said I might pick them for the doctor, and the ride was so nice.
+I shall put it in among the splendid things of my life--like the
+dream, and coming here--and when I get settled in bed and all is dark
+I can make a real fairy land out of it."
+
+He took her flowers and kissed her, and said "Good-night" to them in a
+low tone. But he went home racking his brains to see if something
+could not be done toward keeping her.
+
+Bridget came around one afternoon and was enthusiastic over her
+improvement.
+
+"They're doing pretty well and I believe the twins are not to get any
+more teeth in a year or two. And the boss says they've thinned out
+astonishing, and they can talk a good bit. And that girl's going to
+the other place and they say you just must come down. But not a foot
+should you stir if you wasn't real well. An' its glad enough I am to
+have himself at breakfast at the morn and dinner at night. It's like
+living again, but I don't want to see any more twins."
+
+Marilla laughed. "Yes, I feel all well only sometimes I have a little
+catch in my breath; and I'll be ready to go on Saturday."
+
+"An' I'll just be praying to the saints to send you back safe and
+sound. I don't see why people should be kitin' off to strange places,
+when they've a good, comfortable house to stay in. But the saints be
+praised for the rest with that imp of a Jack being away! They do be
+grown up after awhile an' I s'pose you couldn't have men if there were
+no boy babies."
+
+Then Mr. Borden called late one afternoon and brought a note from his
+wife. Ellen had to leave on Saturday or lose the nice place, and the
+babies were well now, walking all round and beginning to say cunning
+words. Pansy called "Illa, Illa," and then looked around for Marilla
+to come, and said--"Papa bing Illa." They wanted her so much. All
+their meals were taken over in the next cottage, and the laundress
+came twice a week for the washings. The children were out of doors
+most of the time, and they were on the ground floor, so there was no
+going up and down stairs. Marilla would have it very easy and they
+would take the best of care of her.
+
+Mr. Borden was both kind and gentlemanly. He hoped there would be some
+way in which they could repay Miss Armitage for all her care. Would
+she accept a contribution for the Babies' Hospital, he had heard she
+was interested in, or any other charity?
+
+It was very nice of him, Miss Armitage thought, and she chose the
+hospital. Marilla had been out walking with Jane and when she came in
+Mr. Borden was so cordial that it won the child's heart, and she was
+the more willing to go because she should lose her dear Miss Armitage
+for a month.
+
+"And afterward, you must come and see me and we will have nice times
+together, and I may teach you a little music--you learn so easily. Oh,
+I count on seeing a good deal of you."
+
+The parting was not as bitter as Miss Armitage had feared, partly
+because Mr. Borden was there and in such good spirits, and Marilla was
+thinking that the month would soon pass and that in any event she
+could not see her dear fairy godmother in that time.
+
+The journey interested her very much. She had never taken so long a
+ride in the cars. Mr. Borden bought her a box of marshmallows and he
+had some illustrated papers. And there at the station was Miss
+Florence who gave her a cordial welcome, and the big surrey drove them
+and three other passengers to their destination. Mrs. Borden ran down
+the path to meet them.
+
+"I've been on pins and needles lest something should happen," she
+began. "Why, Marilla, you don't look as if you had ever been ill! And
+we're so glad to get you back. Oh, you don't know what an awful time I
+had, and at first the babies wouldn't let Ellen touch them. Flo or I
+had to feed them. I'm clear worn out now, but I do hope the babies
+haven't forgotten you, for I want a little rest. It seemed too bad
+that you should have given out just then. And I do believe you've
+grown taller. Why, you are quite a big girl."
+
+The twins sat on a blanket on the grassy space at the side of the
+house. Mrs. Borden led the girl out to them with a glad sound in her
+voice.
+
+"Here's your dear Illa come," she said. "Dear Illa that you've wanted
+so much."
+
+Pansy looked up. Marilla gave one spring and knelt down beside them.
+It was nice to be longed for, to be remembered. She had really loved
+them. Her heart was always reaching out for something to love.
+
+"Illa, Illa," almost shouted Pansy and went down head first in
+Marilla's lap.
+
+"Oh, you darling!"
+
+"I'm glad you didn't get weaned away, Marilla. I was afraid you would,
+having such a fuss made over you. Mr. Borden said the house was fine.
+That Miss Armitage must be rich. Well--she was very good to you and
+did the best she could for us. But that Ellen didn't like children,
+that was the long and the short of it, and she has just the place for
+her, and eighteen dollars a month. Yes, Violet, this is our own
+Marilla come back to us, and we shall never let her go away again."
+
+Violet had looked rather wary and been chewing on the end of her
+thumb, but now she nodded and began to hitch toward Marilla.
+
+"Now we're going over to the cottage to dinner. It's such a pleasure
+to go together. I always take Jack. He has nice table manners if he
+isn't an angel otherwise. Oh, there he is! Jack, here's Marilla!"
+
+Jack gave a sort of wild howl of delight and started on a run with
+outstretched arms. Over went Marilla and Pansy and Jack on the top of
+the heap. Pansy gave a smothered scream.
+
+Mrs. Borden caught Jack by the shoulder and dragged him up. "You bad,
+bad boy!" she exclaimed, angrily.
+
+"Hello! what's the row?" asked Mr. Borden, advancing to the fray.
+
+Jack rubbed his eyes to make some tears.
+
+"Well, you said you was glad to see her an' so was I. An' I was jest
+gone' to hug her an' the bug fell over, an' I couldn't help it."
+
+Mr. Borden laughed. Mrs. Borden picked up Pansy and comforted her. But
+she did howl as if she had been half killed.
+
+"Jack, go to Aunt Florence and be made ready for dinner," in a
+commanding tone. "Oh dear, it does seem----"
+
+"Well things will go better now," said Mr. Borden soothingly.
+"Marilla, you are going to be the salvation of the household. Did the
+twins really know her?"
+
+"Pansy did, I think Pansy's really smarter that Violet, I do hope
+we'll have a little comfort now. There Pansy, dear, go to your sweet
+Marilla," and she stood the child down. "We must hurry or we will be
+late for dinner."
+
+Marilla saw the four go over to the cottage, as it was called. She had
+been tired out with the railroad journey, entertaining as it was, then
+the excitement of meeting them all again, the bump on her forehead
+when she had come down so hard on Pansy's head, and the screams that
+seemed like a stab going from temple to temple tired her
+inexpressibly. Then, too, she was hungry. Oh, if she could have a
+glass of hot milk such as Jane used to bring her! She really could not
+help crying a little. Both babies stood up by her. Violet pounding on
+one shoulder, Pansy making a grab at her hair that seemed to pull it
+out by the roots.
+
+"Pitty, pitty!" she said gleefully.
+
+"Oh, Pansy dear, you hurt." She disentangled the one hand, but the
+other made the same clutch and was more difficult to manage. Then she
+rose to her knees that her head might be out of reach. Violet came
+down heavily and began to cry. Poor Marilla hardly knew what to do.
+
+The babies were much thinner and their faces not so pudgy, but Marilla
+thought they still resembled the Campbell soup little girl and laughed
+in spite of her own hurts. Then Violet spied a green apple and made a
+bee line for it.
+
+"She can't bite it," thought Marilla, and as it kept rolling it amused
+the baby. Then Pansy crept toward it and there was a rather funny
+time. Violet slapped her twin in the face and there was another howl
+and Marilla went to the rescue. Oh, what should she do? Everything was
+so strange!
+
+"Bed'y mik, bed'y mik," demanded Pansy, "Bed'y milk."
+
+"Let us go and find some," and she raised the baby to her feet, taking
+her by the hand. They walked up on the porch, and she placed her in
+the carriage while she glanced at Violet. Not a moment too soon--the
+little sharp teeth were making inroads on the apple. She ran and
+snatched it, throwing it out of sight. There was another howl. Mrs.
+Borden came hurrying down.
+
+"What is the matter?" rather crossly.
+
+"Violet found an apple and bit in it; I threw it away."
+
+"Oh, that was right Marilla," in a mollified tone. "Where's Pansy?"
+
+"On the porch, in the carriage. I think she's hungry. It sounded as if
+she meant bread and milk."
+
+"Yes. They have that for their supper. I guess I can start it. I used
+to feed them first. Let me see. I guess I can show you--you're so
+handy unless they've spoiled you."
+
+She had Violet in her arms and said--"Bring in Pansy," leading the way
+to a room that seemed a general storage place. She lighted the little
+pyro stove, opened a closet and took out a saucepan, a bottle of milk,
+a sugar dish and some spoons.
+
+"Now as soon as it gets warm, you fix it--you cannot have forgotten
+how, and then turn this screw and put the light out. For heaven's sake
+don't set anything afire! Oh, there's no place like your own home. I
+haven't had an hour's comfort since I came down here. And my dinner's
+getting cold. Nice baked veal it was, with dressing. There babies,
+Marilla will give you some nice bread and milk."
+
+She ran off. The babies whined a little and then watched the
+proceedings. The stove stood up on a table and she poured out part of
+the milk. Then she gave the babies a crust of bread to stop their
+clamoring while she crumbed up some in the saucepan and kept stirring
+it so that it shouldn't scorch, taking out part, presently. Pansy
+climbed up by a chair and began to call "Bed'y mik, bed'y mik."
+
+Marilla put on her bib and began to feed her. Then Violet joined with
+her starvation cry. First it was one open pink mouth then the other.
+The viands disappeared as if by magic. She meant to have a little for
+herself--she was so weak and gone in the stomach, but she found she
+must make some more, even, for the babies. So she crumbed up the
+remainder of the loaf. How they _did_ eat! She was very tired of
+ladling it in each little mouth.
+
+She had a very little left for herself, but it seemed to help the
+desperately tired feeling. She had put the stove out without any
+mishap. Pansy began to cry--"Wock, wock."
+
+"What is it dear? Was it anything more to eat?" She glanced through
+the closet.
+
+"Wock, wock," hanging to her skirt.
+
+"Me wock," joined in the chorus that might be Chinese.
+
+Oh, would they never come! She took the babies out on the porch. There
+was a big rocker. Pansy ran to it and patted it, rolling up her
+eyes.
+
+"Oh, yes, Rock. I might have guessed, but my head feels so tired and
+queer." Then she took the cushions and blankets out of the carriage
+and lifted up Violet, settling her in one side. But Pansy would have
+none of it. She squirmed down on the floor and began to cry.
+
+"Oh, I don't know what you want!" Marilla almost fell into the chair
+and jogged it gently. Violet was going to sleep. Poor Cinderella wiped
+the tears that would have run down her cheeks. She was so tired. Even
+the babies crying did not move her. But when she heard the voices she
+sprang up.
+
+"Oh, what is the matter?" asked Mrs. Borden.
+
+"They wanted to be rocked," explained Marilla, "and I put them both in
+the chair, but Pansy wouldn't stay----"
+
+"We have spoiled them. Ellen used to sit in the chair and hold them
+both. That seemed about the only thing she could do that would please
+them. And I've held one in the right and Aunt Florence the other until
+my back ached and I was fit to fall to pieces. We've had the most
+awful time, Flo and I. But I remember I had a dreadful time cutting
+my wisdom teeth, and I was grown. I used to walk the floor at night,
+they would swell up so. We can't blame the poor babies. And they
+missed you so. They used to be so good, wasn't they M'rilla; and I
+suppose they'll be good again. They must be undressed and put to bed.
+Flo, you look after Violet, and M'rilla you run over and get some
+dinner. You must be most starved."
+
+Mrs. Borden had picked up Pansy who had now turned to her comforting
+thumb.
+
+"Oh, run over. You needn't be afraid. Ellen liked the girls first
+rate. Here, Mr. Borden will escort you."
+
+"I expect you're tired out and homesick," he said sympathetically.
+"But we will have things better tomorrow. And we are all so glad to
+have you--this way. Here, Katie, give this little girl a good dinner.
+She deserves the best you have."
+
+They were clearing the dining room. One long table was piled up with
+the used dishes. At the other, covered with rather worn enameled
+cloth, sat two women and one young man. Kate made a place for the
+child and brought her a plate with most everything piled on it.
+Bridget, at home, was so much neater, but then she didn't have so many
+hungry people to feed. And Jane with her dainty ways!
+
+Oh, she was just a little bound-out nurse girl. She had danced and
+feasted with the prince; she had been in the palace with the fairy
+godmother where she was waited on as if she were a little lady. And
+there had been the Sunday ride with Dr. Richards. Was it _all_
+dreams?
+
+She could not eat. The food was mostly cold. There was a big lump in
+her throat and a heaviness in her heart. How long and dreary the five
+years looked!
+
+"I'm not hungry," and she pushed the plate away.
+
+"But you'll have some pudding and some cream. I told you, Maggie,
+they'd stuff theirselves on that there puddin'! You can beat the band
+on that."
+
+"I'll just have the cream," the little girl said, timidly.
+
+"Well you won't last long to take care of them there babies if you
+can't eat better'n that!" said Katie. "I never see such squabs in my
+life!"
+
+"Oh, Katie, that won't do. They're 'Kate Greenaway' children. Was she
+some one who fatted up young ones? Well, she'd better let 'em alone to
+my thinkin'. And their great round eyes! And the crossest things I
+ever did see! Mrs. Munson thought she'd have to give up t' other side
+of the house."
+
+"Be careful," cautioned Maggie, with a slight turn of the head.
+
+Marilla ate her cream, and it really tasted good. Then she rose and
+said good-night in a quiet fashion.
+
+"Katie, you must remember about little pitchers," cautioned some one.
+
+"Well--that's a nice little girl and I don't believe she'd carry
+tales. Ellen said she wouldn't take care of those babies for ten
+dollars a week. And what's this child ever going to do----"
+
+"Mr. Borden is a nice kind of a man and when he's around that Jack
+behaves like a little gentleman, and the ladies do very well; they're
+pleasant and don't put on airs. But what they'll do with those
+twins----"
+
+"Well, they won't always be getting teeth. It's a hard time with
+babies."
+
+And so they gossiped while they washed dishes and set the kitchen in
+order for morning. If they had ever been Cinderella they had forgotten
+about it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A NEW GLIMPSE OF SERVITUDE
+
+
+Marilla wandered about a little. The stars were coming out and afar
+off the wood robin was singing his low sweet song. The dew was
+scattering the fragrance of flower and shrub and she drew in long
+breaths of it that seemed to revive her. Was Miss Armitage sitting at
+the organ and evoking the music that stirred one's very being and made
+you wish unutterable things? And would Dr. Richards go to comfort some
+poor patient tomorrow?
+
+Then she went to her new home. Miss Florence sat alone on the porch.
+The babies were soundly asleep.
+
+"Did you have a nice dinner?" she asked. "And I suppose you are very
+tired. Will you sit here awhile or would you rather go to bed?"
+
+"Yes, I would like to go to bed," she answered, wearily.
+
+They went through the place they were using for a sort of kitchen and
+up a narrow stairway. Only part of the room had a fair ceiling, the
+rest slanted down to some narrow windows. There was a cot, an old
+fashioned wash stand and a sort of closet. Their packing trunks were
+up here.
+
+"Mr. Borden had taken the other part the house first. There is more
+room and it is rather nicer. But the woman who had taken this wanted
+so to exchange and made an offer in the rent and they do charge
+scandalously for these summer places. And when you're not keeping
+house it doesn't matter so much. It saves lots of trouble. They just
+give meals over there and they are first rate. I put your clothes that
+we brought in that closet. It was very nice in Miss Armitage to get
+you some others and she wouldn't let Mr. Borden pay for them. I want
+to hear all about her tomorrow. You won't feel afraid, will you?"
+
+"Oh no," was the reply. It didn't seem to matter much what happened to
+her now.
+
+"Good-night, then, I hope you will sleep well."
+
+"Good-night," steadying her tone.
+
+She thought she wouldn't sleep at all, but her poor little body was so
+tired out that exhausted nature demanded rest. And she was awakened
+in the morning with the singing of some birds, and a beautiful poem
+floated through her mind. She would not count any Sundays until
+September came in.
+
+Mrs. Borden called her and she replied, dressing quickly and going
+down stairs.
+
+"Oh, you look quite rested," said the lady. "I'll give the babies
+their bath and dress them and then you will give them their breakfast
+and keep them out on the porch while we go for ours. They take only
+one nap now, sleeping from eleven until about two. They just have
+bread and milk. There's a woman here who says I am ruining their
+health with that, because it makes them fat, but they were fed when
+they had only milk. Then they have some oatmeal, jelly and a soft
+boiled egg when they wake up. There's nothing like system; you know
+just what to do. Now you go over to the kitchen and get a bottle of
+milk. The babies drink that, too. Then I'll show you how to light up
+the stove. It's the handiest little thing. I couldn't manage without
+it."
+
+Marilla had a pleasant greeting from Katie who declared, "she looked
+ten per cent better and hoped she would have a good appetite for her
+breakfast as she didn't eat enough to keep a bird alive last night."
+
+The babies were pretty good natured, as well.
+
+"You know they always were real sweet," said their mother, "and so
+easily amused. I hope you haven't forgotten your knack of story
+telling; and how they used to laugh! That Ellen was the stupidest
+thing."
+
+While she was feeding the babies, the grown folks went over to their
+breakfast. The kitchen and the servants' table was in much better
+order, and there were some delightful muffins and fresh fish and
+muskmelons. The babies played about; Jack's father took him out for a
+walk, then there was a long quiet time at the luncheon hour, and the
+babies were fed again.
+
+"I succeeded in getting a two-seat carriage, so we will all go out
+this afternoon," said Mr. Borden. "They say Braun is a queer Hungarian
+settlement and on Sunday the people are all out in their best. We'll
+take a look at it."
+
+"_Can_ we all go?"
+
+"Why Florence said she wouldn't mind caring for one baby, and Marilla
+can take the other."
+
+The two nurses had the back seat, Florence made Marilla put her baby
+between them on the seat. "We'll change off when I get tired of
+holding mine," she said.
+
+They went straight over to the Sound--the upper end of the great South
+Bay. Oh how splendid it was! Marilla almost held her breath with
+surprise, then they drove up the road a short distance, but she hated
+to leave the glorious views. Pansy dropped in her lap and went to
+sleep. As they turned they passed through one of the magnificent
+residential settlements, then to the odd Hungarian town where a
+foreign Sunday was in full life and vivacity.
+
+Little tables were standing around, some filled with families, some
+having a couple of lovers; other parties were walking up and down; all
+in picturesque holiday attire. The tables were set out with small,
+hard brown cakes, slices of bread that each had brought to the feast.
+There was beer of course, merrymaking and jollity--but no one seemed
+to overstep the bounds. Children ran around, grotesque copies of
+their elders. Rows of cottages and gardens, great corn and hayfields,
+stubble where cattle were browsing, enclosures of fattening pigs whose
+squealing had a mirthful sound.
+
+"It is well worth looking at," said Mr. Borden. "A bit of Europe on
+one of our islands and really a lesson to our own thriftless poor."
+
+Violet chattered in a funny fashion, but Pansy slept through it all.
+Marilla tried several times to shift her position, but the little form
+was too heavy to stir. Yet it was delightful, though she kept thinking
+of last Sunday and Dr. Richards.
+
+Mr. Borden stopped at the gate and helped them out.
+
+"Lift Pansy, she's asleep," said Aunt Florence.
+
+"Oh, Marilla, why didn't you keep her awake! I've been trying not to
+let them sleep in the afternoon so they would go to bed the earlier."
+
+"Just as you get a baby in good habits, someone comes along and spoils
+it all," exclaimed Mrs. Borden in a vexed tone. She was a little
+tired, having answered at least fifty questions for Jack.
+
+But Pansy woke when her father stood her down, and said, rather
+drowsily--"Nice horsey;" and sat squarely down in the path. Aunt
+Florence picked her up and led her to the porch.
+
+"Now, Marilla, get their suppers ready and feed them. And put away
+their things. I can't bear to see them lying round on chairs."
+
+Mr. Borden drove off, taking Jack.
+
+"Ont bedy-milk," announced Violet.
+
+"Yes, yes; go to Marilla."
+
+The child had laid the caps in the drawer and hung up the coats. Both
+children came out and clamored for supper and pulled on her skirt
+until they almost tipped her over.
+
+Then the great bell clanged for the boarders' supper. They had dinner
+at noon on Sundays. Mr. Borden returned and escorted the ladies over.
+This was always a rather chatty, long-drawn-out meal.
+
+Marilla fed the babies, washed and put away her few dishes, then took
+the children out on the porch. Violet wanted to be "wocked," so she
+sat beside her in the big porch chair. Pansy ran up and down uttering
+queer unmusical noises. The piano in the other part of the house was
+accompanying a singer.
+
+The mistress of that part leaned out of the window and said in a sharp
+tone--"Can't you keep that child still? She's an awful nuisance."
+
+"Let us go indoors," said Marilla. "Come, and I'll tell you a story
+about a bunny that got lost away from all his folks."
+
+But Pansy had no mind to come. She screamed when Marilla took hold of
+her arm and then kicked, jerking away, she rolled down the three
+steps, landing on the grass. Marilla, frightened, picked her up in her
+arms and ran through the hall with her. The suddenness had really
+taken the breath out of the little body for a moment, then she looked
+rather wildly at her rescuer.
+
+"It didn't hurt you much and you were a naughty baby to run away!
+Don't cry any more and you shall have----" she cast about to see what
+solace there was--"oh, you shall have some sugar--see--" and she
+offered her some in a spoon.
+
+Pansy laughed and reached out for the sugar, quite restored to good
+humor.
+
+"Now, I'll go out and get sister and you shall have some more sugar."
+
+Violet came in quite willingly. She sat on the floor with them and
+thought of the stories she used to tell. This one was about a runaway
+squirrel. It grew dark and he was afraid, for he heard a queer noise
+that kept saying, "Who--who," so he ran another way. Then a dog
+barked, and Marilla made the sound of a dog and both babies laughed
+delightedly. "So he ran as fast as he could but the dog ran, too, and
+the squirrel climbed up in a tree," and Marilla climbed with her hands
+on the back of the chair in a funny fashion. "'Come down,' said the
+dog. 'I won't,' said the squirrel. 'Then I'll climb up and eat you.'
+But the squirrel laughed and said: 'You can't climb a tree.'"
+
+The babies laughed, too, but Violet wanted to be "wocked" again. She
+really was sleepy. So Marilla put them both in the rocking chair and
+began another story about a bird who had three little babies in a nest
+and had to go out and get them something to eat. The ladies came back
+and Violet began to nod and let her eyes droop.
+
+"They must go to bed," said their mother.
+
+It was supposed that Pansy would make a protest. She slipped down out
+of the chair and held out her fat little hand, murmuring--"Illa,
+Illa."
+
+"Well, Illa shall put you to bed, come Violet."
+
+Mrs Borden found their nighties. "Me too," and Violet took hers over
+to Marilla.
+
+"Now, isn't that cunning? Marilla they are getting back all their old
+love for you! But it is time I had a little rest."
+
+The babies were safely deposited in their crib, each with a thumb in
+her mouth, a rather recent habit. Then they went out on the porch
+again. Jack was there with his chum, Stevie. The ladies joined the
+procession up and down the board walk. Stevie was recounting some
+wonderful experience, so Marilla dropped into a chair and her mind
+went back to last Sunday night. How long ago it seemed!
+
+Stevie was summoned home by his nurse. Quite a party went to the kind
+of sacred concert. Jack crawled up beside Marilla, for he was getting
+sleepy. When she proposed he should go to bed he turned obstinate and
+held on tight to the arm of the chair.
+
+"I won't go to bed. I'm going to stay here until mama comes."
+
+"Oh, you must. The clocks have struck eight."
+
+"But I'm not going to." He caught the arm of the chair. "You try now
+and I'll kick you with my hind leg."
+
+She knew well enough that he would kick. Somehow she did not feel
+equal to the struggle.
+
+"Tell me a story," was his next demand. "About somebody being put in
+the pit. Sunday school teacher told it. Why, I'd climb out."
+
+So she told him the story and then another, rocking slowly, and as the
+demand ceased she knew he was asleep. But she did not dare try to get
+him to bed. So she went to her own thoughts, the last week passed with
+the fairy godmother and Dr. Richards.
+
+It was ten when the family returned.
+
+"Oh, Marilla, how _could_ you let him go to sleep! He's so cross when
+you wake him up."
+
+"I couldn't get him to go----"
+
+"Jack!" His father picked him up and carried him to the sleeping
+room.
+
+"Now you run to bed," said the mistress, still sharply.
+
+It was very well, Marilla thought, that Jack had a companion who was
+not fond of "kids." Stevie lived quite a distance below and had
+brought no end of playthings, had an auto wagon that two could sit in,
+though only one could be chauffeur. So Marilla had the babies out on
+the side lawn all the morning in the shade, and after their nap took
+them out in the carriage. They were quite fond of walking, too. They
+really were rather amiable again.
+
+"Miss Florence, could I have some paper and a pencil?" she asked
+during their noontide nap. "I promised to write to Dr. Richards and
+tell him if I kept well."
+
+"Why not to Miss Armitage?" was the inquiry.
+
+"She was going to Canada, and--I'm quite well again, and the babies
+are so much better. He will be glad to hear, for he felt very sorry
+about them, and he said I must write."
+
+"I suppose Miss Armitage's house is very grand, much finer than
+ours?"
+
+"It's beautiful and she has such a lovely organ. Well, it's different
+and there are two big parlors and some curious things that I never saw
+before and chairs in beautiful light blue, all flowered, and some tall
+vases and marble statues. And there's Jane and Norah--and the wash
+goes out. Yes, I suppose she's rich."
+
+"And you'd like to live there?"
+
+"Perhaps she wouldn't want me," the child said simply.
+
+Evidently there had been no talk about it.
+
+Miss Borden gave her pencil and paper.
+
+Marilla went to the kitchen nursery, sat down on a stool and put her
+paper on the bottom of the wooden chair. She began--"Dear Dr.
+Richards." Oh, there was so much to say! She was well and the babies
+were improved and could talk a good deal and looked better for not
+being so fat. She really liked home better and Bridget's kitchen was
+so clean, and there was always a nice white cloth on the table. It
+seemed a funny way to live but many of the people did not have meals
+in their own houses, but went over to the eating place. "I can't spell
+the other word," she admitted naively. There were so many pretty girls
+in lovely frocks who walked up and down and didn't have to take care
+of babies. "I don't believe I am as fond of babies as I used to be. I
+get tired of having them every day," she explained frankly. "And soon
+I shall begin to count on the five years."
+
+She filled up the whole sheet, folded, slipped it in the envelope and
+fastened it. Oh, she must ask for a stamp. She could run down to the
+postoffice.
+
+Miss Borden was curious to know what was in the letter, whether
+Marilla had found any fault with her surroundings, but the eager,
+honest face disarmed curiosity that could not be easily gratified. So
+the letter went its way.
+
+There were many things to entertain a child whose former life had been
+narrow. Some of the girls spoke to her. "Were the babies her
+sisters?"
+
+"Oh, no. She was--well their nurse."
+
+"How odd they looked! Is that little Jack their brother?"
+
+"Yes." Oh how ardently she wished they were pretty.
+
+"He looks more like you than like them. You've both got such pretty
+curly hair, though his is darker. I think curly hair's just lovely. I
+wish mine curled, and you've such a pretty dimple in your chin."
+
+Marilla blushed at the praise.
+
+"What are the babies called?"
+
+Marilla repeated their names.
+
+"That's funny--they're so much alike."
+
+"Well--they're twins," said another.
+
+Then the babies thought it was time they joined in the conversation,
+and a funny mess they made of it. Pansy said--
+
+"Ont to dit down."
+
+"No, you can't," answered Marilla. "Their mother said I must never
+take them out."
+
+They happened to be strapped in very securely. But Pansy made a great
+fuss and gesticulated furiously with her little fists.
+
+"I had better go on," said Marilla.
+
+"It's awfully funny. Does she often get in such a tantrum?"
+
+"Not very often," returned Marilla half ashamed and almost afraid the
+baby would break the strap.
+
+After a few days she began to get quite acquainted with some of the
+girls. They came from various places and were quite ready to talk
+about themselves. There was to be a lawn party next week at the
+Sheldon's, just for the girls, and they were going to dance.
+
+"Oh, did you ever go to a ball?" asked Marilla.
+
+"Why, girls don't go to balls! They are for the big folks. My grown up
+sister does and they're just splendid."
+
+She had half a mind to tell them about the beautiful dream and how she
+had danced with the Prince. But Pansy was going on at such a rate that
+she pushed the carriage along and by the time they reached home she
+had forgotten her trouble.
+
+And there was a letter from Dr. Richards.
+
+She wanted to kiss it, she was so glad, but Mrs. Borden stood there,
+so she simply said--"Thank you," and opened it.
+
+It was quite to a child's capacity. Marilla smiled in some places,
+looked sad in others. The little boy who had been so dreadfully
+injured by an automobile had died, but he would have been a terrible
+cripple if he had lived. There had been two very hot weeks and the
+poor babies had suffered. He was very glad to hear that the twins were
+doing so nicely, and had all their teeth safe and sound. And was she
+growing stronger, and did she have a chance to take the baths he
+advised? Miss Armitage was having a fine time. And a friend was to
+take them in his yacht around the islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
+and come down to Nova Scotia, so she wouldn't be home as soon as they
+expected. And he was so busy he couldn't have any vacation at all; but
+then he had taken years before and must be satisfied.
+
+There were bits of fun and queer sayings interspersed that made a sort
+of jolliness in her face.
+
+"Don't you want to read it?" she asked, rather timidly.
+
+Mrs. Borden just did. She and Florence had wondered whether Marilla
+had made any invidious comparisons about the change to actual service
+instead of being treated as a guest in a fine house.
+
+"If--you'd like me to," with the proper hesitation.
+
+"Oh, yes. And I used to tell him about the babies, that they were so
+good and hardly ever cried, and how I told them stories and they
+laughed just as if they understood--didn't they?"
+
+"You _made_ them understand. You're an odd little girl, Marilla, and I
+don't know what we would do without you, but then you do really belong
+to us. I do suppose the baths would be a good thing if you were not
+afraid. Now, we can't coax Jack to go in the water, though he delights
+to run along the edge barefooted. That's fun for the children. But you
+see if we all went some one must look after the children. Then there's
+the time for their nap and there'd be no one to go with you. There
+seems so many things to do in the afternoon now that we have joined
+the Clubs. And there's teas and things----"
+
+"Yes," Marilla returned, meekly.
+
+"Why wouldn't you go in the water?" she asked Jack a few days
+afterward.
+
+"'Cause there's sharks. Stevie said so. An' they eat up people."
+
+"Why don't they eat up--well, they haven't eaten up any one yet. We
+should have heard of it."
+
+"They only eat up children. The big folks kick 'em out of the way. But
+you've got to be real strong an' have a big foot. You just give it to
+'em by the side of the jaw and they flop down in the water. That big
+Jimmy Lane has seen them lots of times."
+
+There was a great sand heap where the smaller children went to play
+and tumble about and build forts and ovens and sometimes sand each
+other. Marilla took the babies out in the carriage after they had
+their dinner and were dressed afresh. Sometimes she met the girls
+sauntering about, sometimes with the nurse maids. The two ladies went
+to a Whist Club, and one afternoon played Bridge, and between times
+they met on each others' porches.
+
+The afternoon of the children's lawn party the street was fairly
+thronged. There were grown people within the enclosure by special
+invitation. And how pretty the young people were in their beautiful
+summer attire with laces and ribbons and bead chains and white ties
+with a great bow almost as big as the foot.
+
+There were four pieces of music. Oh, the dancing was just bewitching?
+Marilla drew long breaths and wished she was among them; every pulse
+in her body kept time. The trees waved and nodded, some birds sang and
+there were sounds of happy laughter.
+
+"Get away from here with this big caboose of yourn!" said a rough
+voice, "you take up too much room," and he wheeled the carriage around
+so suddenly the babies almost toppled over. "Other people want a
+chance. Get along, I say!"
+
+She had no choice but to go on.
+
+"I'm glad he sent off that nurse girl," exclaimed a woman with two
+children clinging to her skirts. "Those great wagons are such a
+nuisance!"
+
+Marilla crossed the street and went slowly up and down. When the
+throng moved about a little she could see the white fairy figures
+floating over the greensward, and hear the music that set one's nerves
+a-tingle. The outside crowd began to disperse, but the man loitered
+about, so she did not dare go back.
+
+Then they brought out some tables on the lawn and began to arrange
+them. Oh, how daintily pretty it was! She recognized some of the
+girls, and in spite of her courage, sighed as she turned away.
+
+Those were the sisters for whom the coach and four waited, with the
+footman and outriders, and who would be made welcome at all the grand
+functions of life, while the Cinderellas were relegated to the chimney
+corner. And the godmother must come out of fairy land, if she came at
+all, and transformed one with a wand. That was why the glories were so
+unsubstantial, and why the dream must end at midnight.
+
+The babies were clamoring for supper. The house was all alone. She
+lifted them out and helped them up the steps, then gave them each a
+biscuit while she prepared their bread and milk. The ladies came home
+from their Whist. Mrs. Borden had won the first prize and they were
+talking as eagerly as boys over a baseball score. There was Jack,
+dirty and tousled as any tramp.
+
+"Wash him up Marilla and put him in some clean clothes or we'll be
+late for dinner. Come, be quick, child."
+
+That was the portion of the Cinderellas.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE LITTLE THORNS
+
+
+They were all very glad to be home again. The house was so clean and
+orderly and there were so many closets and drawers in which to pack
+away things. Bridget had scoured and scrubbed and polished windows
+largely to pass away time, for the people next door had been away as
+well and the maids on a vacation earning money at seasides.
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad to see you again!"
+
+Marilla was hugging Bridget and her tone was full of delight.
+
+"Ah, dear, an' it's glad enough I am to get ye back, but you've not
+grown very fat an' rugged looking, but them babies do beat all!
+They're quite ginteel one may say, an how they do run and talk! You'll
+have your hands full, I'm thinkin', if they're goin' to copy Jack!"
+
+"Oh, Bridget, they're real sweet, only they're noisy when your head's
+tired. It sounds worse indoors. There was a big out of doors and
+grass, and people passing and some children came in to play. But now
+you have to look after them all the time."
+
+"Marilla! Marilla!"
+
+No, she could not waste her time in the chimney corner.
+
+"Put on the babies' things and take them out walking, they'll drive me
+crazy."
+
+She walked them round to Loraine place. Would she dare call? Oh, how
+her heart yearned to see them all again! but the blinds were drawn;
+perhaps no one was at home.
+
+Then as they were going down the street, just at the corner, a lady
+and two girls about her size crossed. The lady and one of them lived
+about a block further down Arch street. The other she had known at the
+seaside. She smiled with a sudden pleasant surprise. The girl simply
+stared. Marilla's face was scarlet. Was it possible she was not to
+know any of these girls if she should meet them? This one did not live
+here, she knew that.
+
+Then Aunt Hetty came home looking thinner and more dried up than ever,
+but glad to get back to her room. She would not come down to dinner
+but M'rilla could bring her up some toast and tea.
+
+So instead of having a cozy time with Bridget she carried the small
+waiter up stairs. The tea was in the pot; Aunt Hetty had the kettle
+boiling on the gas stove. The toast was on a hot plate.
+
+"Sit down a minute, I've hardly seen you. Did you have a nice time? I
+suppose the twins will be on the everlasting trot, now they can walk
+so well, and as for talking--well I'm glad I don't have to live with
+them; that I'm clear this end of the house. You see that they don't
+come up stairs. It's nice to be in your own place, though the folks
+where I staid were very good and pleasant, I s'pose they thought I
+might remember them in my will," and she gave a shrill sort of cackle.
+"Now I tell you there isn't much fun in living to be old, and I seem
+to have lost my spunk. It's just a kind of drowsing life away. Now
+tell me what you did! My, but this toast tastes good! Better than all
+their flummery."
+
+"Oh, there were a good many nice things and pretty houses and gay
+people, and a big place where they all went to meals. And Jack is
+better than he used to be, he had the nicest little playmate and was
+out of the house most of the time. But I must run down, for Bridget
+said my dinner was ready. I'll come up again when the babies are in
+bed; can I bring you anything?"
+
+"Well, yes, a glass of hot milk. No, bring it in a cup with a
+handle--it is so much nicer to hold. You're a good willing girl,
+Marilla."
+
+"I thought you never would get down," Bridget said, almost crossly.
+"If you have to wait on that old woman and all the rest of us you'll
+wish you were in the grave. My! You look all tired out. Now, here's a
+nice bit of chicken that I laid aside for you. I'm not goin' to have
+you fed on leavings. And it wasn't nice down there?" nodding her
+head.
+
+"Oh, Bridget, such a kitchen and such a table, and no white cloth on
+it! They, the servants didn't seem to care, and they were nice and
+clean at the Home, and you're--well, you have things as nice as in the
+dining room, and to have things shoveled out of the kettle on your
+plate or cold on a dish! Sometimes puddings were good, and the creams
+and frozen things were clean and nice. But I'm so glad to get back to
+you. And the lovely bath room! We didn't have any in the cottage. Why
+it saves half the work taking care of babies."
+
+"You bet it does, I couldn't and wouldn't live in such a muxy kitchen.
+If I couldn't have things to suit I'd take French leave, though I
+guess I'd call it Irish leave. And people, women, think it a fine
+thing to go off and live that way. But the boss got very tired of
+it."
+
+Marilla laughed faintly. She was almost too tired to eat, but the
+chicken was so tasty, and the fresh home-made bread delightful. And
+the cheery voice put heart in the girl. Then the dessert was
+delicious.
+
+"I promised to take Aunt Hetty a cup of milk. I'll see first if Mrs.
+Borden wants me. But I'll dry the dishes for you."
+
+"No, dear, I did the most of them while you were up stairs."
+
+The babies had been put to bed. They did have an unlimited capacity
+for sleep, now that they were well. Jack was perched on his father's
+knee detailing some wonderful adventures. No, they did not need her.
+
+"I'm going in next door awhile," said Bridget on her return. "Mrs.
+Dawson's girl left in a huff, and she asked me if I knew anyone. And
+there was my friend, Maggie Brady, just out of a place and a nice tidy
+girl; a good cook, too. So they both suited. Maggie's mother and mine
+lived in the same town. It's nice to have a friend at hand. And when
+ye's through with the old lady I'd run to bed. You look tired as a
+wagon wheel that's run round and round."
+
+Marilla laughed and took a bottle of milk with her. Aunt Hetty drank a
+good cupful, hot, and the remainder was set out on the window sill.
+Then she settled herself in bed with two pillows under her head; she
+could hear better she thought.
+
+"Now, you open that book at the mark and read to me. 'Twon't be very
+interesting, for you can't know what's gone before. And no doubt I'll
+fall asleep--I always snore a little at first, and when you hear that
+you may light the burner in the other room and turn it very low and
+put the window down from the top and skip off to yourself."
+
+She was very tired but she read quite awhile before the gentle snoring
+began, and she was glad enough to go to bed.
+
+They had been home just a week when school opened. It was a comfort to
+get rid of Jack. They began to settle into quite regular living.
+
+"I've just had a fright," said Mrs. Borden, coming up to her sister's
+room. "A man has been here inquiring about school children and I _did_
+stretch the truth a little. You see, now children have to go to school
+until they are fourteen. I simply can't let Marilla go. I didn't adopt
+her nor consider her in any sense my own. A child like that isn't
+worth more than her board and clothes. What good would she be to us if
+we had to get her off at nine in the morning, and then have only an
+hour in the afternoon. The twins _must_ be taken out, and there's so
+much running up and down. She's a nice honest, truthful child and a
+born nurse girl. But if I had to send her to school, I'd trot her off
+to the Home."
+
+"There is so much to do this winter. When you come to that, she knows
+enough for ordinary, and later on she could go to evening school.
+There's so much shopping and planning, and we must be out a good deal.
+The twins mightn't take to a new girl. Let us keep her if we possibly
+can."
+
+Miss Borden's lover was to return before Christmas and wanted every
+thing ready for a speedy marriage. It would be in church with a very
+small reception afterward. And that was hardly three months'
+distance.
+
+Marilla was coming home with the babies one afternoon when two lady
+callers and a girl were saying adieu and coming down the steps. Yes,
+that was Ada Brant who had been at Bayside in the summer and at first
+had been quite friendly with her. Now she looked as if she had never
+known her.
+
+Maybe that was the way all the girls would feel to one who had been
+bound-out from an institution. There they had all been on an equality.
+And somehow the Bordens had not really put her down. Then that lovely
+Miss Armitage. Why, there had been a place for her at the table, and
+Jane had waited on her as if she had been a guest!
+
+Perhaps it would be different now. Then came a very bitter knowledge
+to Marilla Bond. Five years more of this, and wouldn't people remember
+she had been Mrs. Borden's nursemaid? Why, even now she would be glad
+to be Miss Armitage's maid. What made the difference?
+
+She was to hear more of it that evening. After the babies came in from
+their outing they were washed, undressed, and a nice warm wrapper put
+over their nightgown, and then fed. Afterward laid in their crib. They
+didn't go to sleep at once but kicked and laughed and chatted in a
+regular frolic. Phlegmatic babies can be easily trained. Then Marilla
+came down and waited on the table as Bridget sent various things up on
+the lift. She was a really charming little waitress.
+
+"Such an odd thing occurred today," began Mrs. Borden. "John do you
+know a firm, Davis & Calthorpe, who manufacture something--"
+
+"Yes, Calthorpe is selling out, I drew up some papers for him. He's
+been up in the Adirondacks all summer and is going to Bermuda; but he
+will never come back alive."
+
+"How queer it all is! We met Mrs. Brant a few times at Bayside. They
+have come to Newton to look into the business and are staying with
+Mrs. Wheeler. They came to call and Mrs. Brant has a pretty, stylish
+young daughter. Of course they'll have to move here. She is quite
+taken with Newton. I told them about that Jamreth house down the
+street and they decided to look at it. Of course I didn't get much
+acquainted with her, but she seems a very nice body. And that's a
+promising business, but Calthorpe had to give it up and I'm sorry for
+the poor fellow; glad, too, that he met with this chance of disposing
+of his share. Brant appears to be a nice, brisk fellow and it is lucky
+for Davis as well."
+
+The Jamreth house had stood empty all summer. Marilla passed it on her
+way to the park, for Arch street led direct. Suppose Ada was there
+sitting on the stoop or at the window and giving her that indifferent
+stare when they had been quite acquaintances!
+
+For the first time fairy land and her dancing with the Prince failed
+to comfort. The whole world seemed changed, and how would Miss
+Armitage be, now that she was well?
+
+But she was very, very busy; Jack went to school a week and was
+delighted with the boys.
+
+"Sam Gordon has a little brother just big enough to begin school. I
+wish one of the twins was a boy. What's the use of so many girls?"
+
+His father laughed a little at that. The second week the charm began
+to fail. His head ached and he wanted to stay at home and have Marilla
+read to him.
+
+"Boys don't have headaches," said his mother. But he was cross and his
+face flushed up so that in the afternoon his teacher sent him home.
+"And I don't want this scratchy flannel on! I like the other better;
+can't I pull it off?"
+
+"The others are worn out, and it is coming cooler weather. Oh, you'll
+get used to it," said his mother, teasingly.
+
+Then he kicked the babies' playthings about and pinched Marilla's arm
+and wouldn't eat any dinner, and said his pudding was bitter. His
+father sent him to bed, but he tossed and tumbled and cried out for a
+drink ever so many times, and in the morning was red with a fever and
+some sort of eruption. So they sent for Dr. Baker, who pronounced it a
+fine case of measles.
+
+"I don't see where he caught it, unless it is in the school, and I
+suppose the twins will have it," said Mrs. Borden in despair.
+
+There were three pretty bad days and Jack tried the patience of the
+whole household sorely. Then the babies showed symptoms and seemed
+vexed that such a thing should happen to them, and now school was not
+to be thought of in some time.
+
+"Run out and take a little airing, Marilla," said Mrs. Borden, late
+one afternoon. "You haven't been out of the house for days."
+
+She was very glad to go. Jack was still a recluse though he seemed
+well.
+
+Which way should she go? Her heart cried softly for Loraine place and
+almost unconsciously her feet turned thitherward. Miss Armitage sat by
+the window but she sprang up and opened the hall door with, "My dear,
+dear child!"
+
+Marilla had her face in a transport of happy crying, from an
+overweighted heart.
+
+"Oh, my dear!" leading her in.
+
+"Oh, Miss Armitage, we have the measles round at our house. Perhaps I
+oughtn't come in."
+
+"Oh, I had the measles long ago, and I've seen three cases this
+afternoon. I've only been home four days and had the most splendid
+time. But I want to hear about you--have you been well, and was it
+nice at the seaside? Why it seems like a year since we parted."
+
+"Yes, I was well and the babies walk and talk and are real cunning and
+they do grow prettier. They're getting some real nice hair but I can't
+make it curl. I didn't like the house so well and there was no bath
+only a cold water faucet and a gas stove, and I missed Bridget so
+much. We staid out of doors most of the time. I didn't go in
+bathing--I was a little afraid, I think, and I would have had to go
+with some of the servants. There were a good many of them--we took our
+meals outside. I was glad to get home, and oh, so glad to see you!"
+
+She caught the hand and kissed it rapturously. Miss Armitage held up
+the face with her hand under the chin.
+
+"No, you haven't gained any."
+
+"I think I did at first, but Jack was so troublesome, and the old
+lady, Aunt Hetty, wants one to read her to sleep and sometimes it
+takes so long."
+
+"You surely are not helping with her?"
+
+"Oh, only reading and answering her bell. She's somehow so nice when
+you wait on her. I think, like the rest of us, she's so glad to be
+back. One day she gave me a dollar and said I must spend it for candy,
+but I haven't yet. Do you think I ought to have told Mrs. Borden?"
+
+"Why, not necessarily."
+
+"I'm not so very fond of candy. There's a beautiful book of fairy
+stories in a store down town that I'd like. Only Jack takes every
+thing, and he keeps asking if I haven't a penny when we go out. His
+mother doesn't give him pennies to spend, and a very good thing,
+too."
+
+"What kind of books do you read to the old lady?"
+
+"Well, you see it's this way, she reads on pages and pages and puts in
+a mark, then I go on where she left off and so I don't get the real
+sense of the story. They seem to have a good deal of trouble. I'd
+rather read about little girls who went to their grandmother's and had
+nice times, and beautiful verses full of music such as you used to
+read."
+
+Miss Armitage laughed pleasantly. "We'll have some nice reading again.
+And you ought to go to school."
+
+"But you see I can't. I look over Jack's books and I write on pieces
+of paper. I don't know how to spell all the words. Oh, I wrote a
+letter to Dr. Richards. He asked me to, and he sent such a nice
+answer. I did want to write again, but I hadn't any paper nor postage
+stamp, and I didn't like to ask the second time. Oh, I might buy some
+with my dollar, mightn't I?"
+
+"I'll do you up a little package. He wants to see you, so I'll ask him
+to come here and let you know. And sometimes when you are out with the
+babies you must stop here and let me see them, and I'll call and see
+you all."
+
+"Oh, how nice that will be. I'm so glad you love me. For I never shall
+be like the girls who have pretty homes and parents to love them. But
+you'll be the fairy godmother always, won't you?"
+
+"Yes, dear," in a soft tone.
+
+"And now I must go. It's so sweet to know that some one really loves
+you even if you are a bound-out girl. And now I'm beginning to count
+the years."
+
+Miss Armitage kissed her and watched her tripping down the steps. She
+was worthy of a better fate. Would she love the hand that set her in
+pleasanter places and not come to think wholly of self? For she, woman
+past thirty, as she was, longed for a little daughter's love, a
+daughter to grow up along side of her, to share her very life.
+
+The babies went out walking up and down the block one day and took no
+harm. Violet was wild to run away, as Jack had been, and so was quite
+a care. Then the men came to fumigate the house and they all went to a
+friend's and took lunch.
+
+"Dear me, what a nice little maid you have," said the friend. "She
+seems to know just what to do, and she's so pleasant tempered. Where
+did you find her?"
+
+"She came from Bethany Home and she's bound to me until she's
+eighteen. She'll be of good service."
+
+The Autumn was glorious with a good deal of sunshine; Jack went back
+to school and was getting to be a regular boy, full of pranks; they
+were sometimes rather rough. He did stand in awe of his father, but he
+occasionally said things to Marilla that were not a bit nice, then he
+would coax her not to tell of them.
+
+One afternoon Miss Armitage came. Bridget said she was sorry the
+ladies were out but the visitor said she wanted to see Marilla and the
+babies and went up stairs to the nursery. Playthings were all about;
+Marilla had been building houses for the twins to knock down. They
+glanced at Miss Armitage with wondering eyes, but they said "down,
+down" when Marilla took to a chair. Then they tumbled over her and
+buried their hands in her curly hair, even if it pulled. They showed
+they owned her, and it really was not an easy lot for the little girl.
+She did look pale and tired but she was so glad to see her friend.
+
+Then the lady began to plan if there was any way to get her free. She
+went to see Mrs. Johnson.
+
+"Why the child seems very well off," was the rather tart reply. "She
+is well fed and clothed and has nothing to do but amuse two little
+ones. Many a girl would jump at the place. It wouldn't do for us to be
+changing them about, you see. We do sometimes take away a child who is
+ill treated. I've visited this Mrs. Borden several times and found
+things very satisfactory."
+
+"But she could be educated--"
+
+"My dear lady, there are hundreds of these poor children who need a
+good home and to be fitted for their station in life which cannot be a
+very high one. Their heads must not be filled with dreams of wonderful
+fortunes. Real work is and must be the lot of those who are homeless
+and dependent. Now, if _you_ wanted to adopt some child I have two
+lovely little girls here, one of them born to luxury it would seem,
+but misfortune and death made a waif of her. I do hope some well-to-do
+people will take a fancy to her."
+
+No, she didn't want any stranger. She would wait and see. Why should
+she care so much for Marilla? The faint little voice haunted her--"Are
+you a fairy godmother?"
+
+The Bordens were really disappointed when they found they had missed
+Miss Armitage. Then a dressmaker was to come, and friends were
+dropping in. Unless they shut the nursery door the little girls were
+in everything, and then they fairly howled for mama.
+
+"Oh, Marilla, can't you keep those children entertained? It sounds as
+if they were getting murdered. Put on their things and take them
+out."
+
+Then one night Pansy had the croup and there was a great scare.
+
+"You've let her get cold some way, Marilla; you mustn't let the wagon
+stand while you keep looking at books and pictures in store windows.
+You better go straight over to the park, and don't talk to other
+girls. You're old enough now to have a little judgment."
+
+Marilla made the babies ready. They were very fond of walking up and
+down stairs. Now she lifted them in the carriage, tucked them in with
+the pretty robe and they did look picturesque in their fluffy white
+hoods and fur cloaks. They uttered shrieks of delight as they went
+along. The Brant's were moving in the Jamreth house; she would
+remember hereafter to turn off at State street and not pass it.
+Somehow she felt very tired. At times there was such a fluttering
+somewhere inside of her that for a moment things went round and she
+had to gasp for breath. She would like to tell Dr. Richards about it.
+She had seen him twice, both times in the street and it had kept her
+happy for days.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+ON THE BORDER OF TRAGEDY
+
+
+For two days Jack had been out of school with a sore throat. Today it
+was better. The ladies wanted to go out to match some trimming and
+view some elegant new party frocks that might do for a wedding gown.
+
+"Now don't tear the house down while we are gone. And if you are good
+Jack, I'll bring you home that new top you wanted. Remember the noise
+disturbs Aunt Hetty."
+
+But the children enjoyed the noise. Aunt Hetty's bell rang.
+
+"Oh, Marilla, can't you keep those children in a little better order,"
+said the fretful voice. "And get me a drink of cold tea, I feel so
+queer."
+
+"I'm so sorry," answered the child, "I'll try my best. If only Jack
+wasn't home."
+
+Jack was throwing the ball at the babies who made vague efforts to
+catch it.
+
+"I'm so afraid you'll hurt them."
+
+"Oh, you old fraid cat! You can't let a fellow have any fun! I'll
+give it to you."
+
+It was not a heavy ball but he sent it with all his angry might. It
+struck against her heart and she went down in a little heap.
+
+"I fixed you that time! Come, you can't play possum over me, get up!"
+
+He touched her with his foot. Pansy ran and fell over her.
+
+"Get up, you little clumsy skunk! You'll half kill her!"
+
+"Poor Illa. Det up, Illa. Did bad Jack hurt 'ou?"
+
+Jack turned her partly over. Her face was ghastly, with the eyes
+rolled up.
+
+Aunt Hetty's bell rang. Jack ran down stairs.
+
+"O, come up Bridget, Marilla's killed!"
+
+"Ah, now you want to frighten a body out of her wits! You ought to be
+skinned alive."
+
+"Oh, come quick!" Jack began to cry.
+
+Bridget walked up stairs very deliberately, "Oh, Holy Mother of God!
+Get up, children. Marilla, dear--Oh, what have you done to her?"
+
+She took the limp figure in her arms.
+
+"Oh, me darlint! Wurra! wurra! And that bell! As if no one wanted
+anything but that old body with one foot in the grave. Jack run in
+next door and ask Mrs. Seymour to come at once; quick, or I'll bat you
+with a stick."
+
+Then she went up stairs. The poor old body was lying in the reclining
+chair, her face distraught with fright.
+
+"Send for the doctor at once, something has happened to me, I can't
+stir. My legs are heavy as lead. Where's Marilla? I've rung and
+rung!"
+
+"Marilla's fainted dead away. Yes, I'll get the doctor," and down
+Bridget flew to open the front door.
+
+"Oh for the love of heaven, will you come and talk to that thing in
+the wall an' get the doctor! Why, I'm most crazy."
+
+"Yes, what doctor?" Mrs. Seymour went to the telephone.
+
+"Doctor Baker, and then to Miss Armitage in Loraine place."
+
+"Dr. Baker would come at once."
+
+They found the lady's number. She was just going out but would stop
+there first.
+
+Then she took Mrs. Seymour through to the nursery. The children were
+patting and petting Marilla.
+
+"Get away, children, you've had her smothered."
+
+"Does she faint often? She seems so well and merry."
+
+"She did that time last summer. She was out with the babies and fell
+off of a stoop, I believe, an' she kept looking like a ghost for ever
+so long. That Miss Armitage took her to her house an' took care of
+her. She's a good woman, that she is. An' it's just my belief that
+Marilla isn't strong enough for the rough an' tumble of life. Some
+ain't you know, an' she's tugged these fat babies about often; there
+isn't but one nurse kept."
+
+"Oh, they were too heavy for her to lift."
+
+"Mrs. Borden didn't want her to, much. I'll say that for her. She was
+afraid the babies backs might get out of shape some way by a bad fall.
+She's a fair dealin' woman or I wouldn't have staid with her all these
+years. But Marilla isn't strong enough for the work, and the old Aunt
+wants a good deal of waiting on. It's run up an' down until you'd
+think her legs would just fall out."
+
+Mrs. Seymour had been trying various restoratives. Now Marilla gave a
+long shuddering sigh, opened her eyes but closed them again.
+
+"What beautiful long lashes she has! And such silky hair--"
+
+"Oh, the saints be praised! I began to think she was dead! Poor
+darlint! 'Rilla dear--its Bridget who'd do anything in the world for
+you."
+
+Dr. Baker arrived. He entered the room, looked at Marilla, felt of her
+pulse, and listened to the faint heart beats. "Give her a little
+brandy," he said. "Where's Mrs. Borden? I thought the old lady--"
+
+"Oh, she is!" interrupted Bridget, "she can't stir her legs one bit.
+She's rale poorly, now I tell you, an' this child's been looking after
+her as well as the babies."
+
+"That's twice too much." He ran lightly up the stairs to meet with a
+torrent of up-braidings.
+
+"I thought I'd have to die here all alone! Where's Marilla? I've rung
+and rung."
+
+"The girl has been in a dead faint. She's worn out. And you must have
+a regular nurse."
+
+"Oh, dear!" Aunt Hetty began to cry, "couldn't I have her? 'Twouldn't
+be as bad as them two young ones. And I'd pay her well, too. She's so
+nice and good tempered with her face full of smiles and sunshine. Oh,
+if she's going to be ill what shall we all do?"
+
+The brandy revived Marilla a little. She tried to speak but her lips
+felt stiff. They took her up carefully and laid her on the old lounge.
+The babies started to climb up over her at once, and howled fearfully
+when Bridget pulled them down with an ungentle shake and sat them on
+the floor. Then she went to answer the door bell and ushered in Miss
+Armitage.
+
+Dr. Baker came down at the same moment. "Can't you shut those children
+up in some dungeon? They've voices like a foghorn. Ah, Miss Armitage.
+How is this patient?"
+
+"Oh, I'm--better," raising up suddenly then falling back in a half
+faint.
+
+"Don't stir, keep as still as you can. You've no strength to throw
+away on make believes. See here, babies," and he disgorged a paper of
+peppermints that at once soothed broken hearts.
+
+"When will Mrs. Borden return?"
+
+"Well, she'll be home to dinner," and Bridget grinned. "Things were
+all well enough when she went out. You see there's some weddin'
+fixings goin' on, and sure Miss Borden deserves a good husband when
+she's waited five years. How's the old lady?"
+
+"It's pretty bad with her, though there's no immediate signs of her
+dying. But it's paralysis. Her limbs are cold and useless and I think
+it is creeping up her left side. She'll be another baby added to the
+family, unless she will go to a hospital which would be far better for
+her. She must have a steady nurse. I've been rather afraid of this."
+
+"I must go and see to my dinner. Miss Armitage won't you stay until
+the ladies come home?"
+
+Miss Armitage signified her willingness and laid aside her hat.
+
+The babies were fairly gorging themselves.
+
+"I'll be in again presently. I'll leave this for the child, to be
+given every half hour and she is to lie perfectly still."
+
+Miss Armitage smiled down in the pallid face. It had grown quite thin
+again, but it seemed to hold an ethical sweetness. Marilla put out
+one slim hand.
+
+"It seems too bad the old lady should be taken ill at this juncture,"
+said Mrs. Seymour. "And Manila's been such a faithful child. She's
+been growing tall this summer and autumn and I suppose has run ahead
+of her strength. Then with the two children to look after--well a
+little nurse girl has rather hard lines--they seldom have more than
+one, or if they do the others are older. My two boys are in boarding
+school. I've wished one was a girl, they are so much more company for
+the mother. But I'd wanted _her_ to be pretty," she cast a sidelong
+glance at the twins. "It's a pity Jack should have taken all the
+beauty."
+
+The twins felt so comfortable over the candy that they went to playing
+with their blocks. Miss Armitage gave her patient the second dose of
+her medicine and she closed her eyes.
+
+There was almost a shriek as Bridget opened the hall door with--"the
+merciful saints preserve us! Has Jack been run over by one of them
+fury things?"
+
+Jack was crying and the blood was streaming from his nose all over his
+blouse.
+
+"He's been fighting, the bad boy, with a nasty, dirty tramp!"
+
+Bridget in her inmost heart hoped he had the worst of it. "Whist!" she
+exclaimed, "there's two sick folks in the house, the doctor's been an'
+he's coming again!"
+
+"Sick! Oh, what has happened?"
+
+"Well, the old lady's had a stroke, an' Marilla had a bad faint again.
+I thought sure she was dead."
+
+Mrs. Borden dropped into the hall chair and began to cry
+hysterically.
+
+"Jack, go straight up to the bath room," said his aunt.
+
+"And the neighbors came in, Mrs. Seymour to talk through that funnel,
+and then Miss Armitage and the doctor," went on Bridget.
+
+"It's a pity one can't stir out of the house without something
+happening," sobbed the mistress. "And we're both so tired."
+
+"There dear, come up stairs." Florence took Mrs. Borden by the arm,
+and they ascended together. "Now I'll go and look after Jack."
+
+She put a big apron over her dress. Jack sat on the bath room floor
+crying.
+
+"Get up and take off those dirty things. Come, your father will soon
+be home and I don't know what he'll do to you," said his aunt.
+
+"He may strap me if he likes, but I ain't going to be called a
+snotnosed scabby sneak of a devil--"
+
+"Hush! hush! I won't listen to such a talk--"
+
+"--And he slapped me in the face, and I kicked his shins good, and
+then we fit and I give him a punch in the belly and a good bunk in the
+eye--"
+
+"Stop Jack, I won't hear another word. Let me get you washed up. There
+comes your father."
+
+Jack's nose had stopped bleeding and he was washed and put in some
+clean clothes. Mrs. Borden laid aside her wrap and hat and went
+through to the nursery. The peppermint must have been a sedative to
+nerves and stomach for the twins looked up with an angelic smile and
+went on house building. Mrs. Seymour made the explanations.
+
+"What could Marilla have been doing? She was well enough when we went
+out."
+
+Miss Armitage gave the hand she held a gentle squeeze and she saw the
+eyelids quiver.
+
+"I'm sure I am very much obliged to you both. I was sorry to miss you
+that day you called, Miss Armitage. Oh dear, how you must have been
+frightened! And poor Aunt Hetty! Is it really true--"
+
+"The doctor couldn't tell the absolute danger so soon--"
+
+"Oh, I think it has been coming on some time. She's dragged her feet
+and she had a quick, almost spiteful way of walking, if one may call
+it that. She protested against people slouching round without
+animation enough to lift their feet. And some days she wouldn't come
+down to any meal. Well, she's a pretty old lady; we've always let her
+have her way."
+
+Jack came into the room rather meek but a handsome little fellow in
+spite of a lump on his forehead. He had run out of doors without
+waiting to hear the result of Marilla's fall.
+
+"Well, Captain!" said his father, holding out his hand.
+
+Mrs. Seymour went home after proffering her services if she should be
+needed through the night. The dinner bell rang and Miss Borden
+insisted the guest must go down to dinner and she would stay with the
+children.
+
+"We're having our dinner a little late this evening on account of a
+guest; otherwise I would accept. I can stay half an hour longer. Then
+if you won't mind my coming around about nine to hear the doctor's
+verdict."
+
+"Oh, you are very sympathetic. Thank you. I only hope Marilla won't
+have a bad time as she did last summer. Why she's never fainted
+since."
+
+Jack behaved beautifully at the table. No one spoke of the fight. But
+he kept up a shivery thought of wondering if the ball he had thrown at
+Marilla had really hurt her. It wasn't a hard ball, at least not as
+hard as they had sometimes in the street.
+
+No one appeared very hungry. Mrs. Borden went up to look after Aunt
+Hetty who seemed disinclined to talk and only wanted a cup of tea. Mr.
+Borden looked at Marilla who had fallen asleep. Then he went through
+to the other room and took Jack on his knee.
+
+"Now let's hear about the fight," he said, but his voice didn't seem
+very stern.
+
+Jack really wanted to cry. He felt sort of bruised and beaten though
+he had knocked down his adversary and would have stamped on him if his
+mother had not appeared at that moment and carried him off.
+
+"Well, you see"--and the boy winked very hard.
+
+"Who begun it?"
+
+"Why, that Patsy's a reg'lar bum! He's called me names--he plays
+hookey too, and he tried to trip me up and I give him a left-hander,
+and he called me a stinking pup and ever so many nasty names and then
+we went at it. Papa, you may strap me if you want to, but if I hadn't
+fit the boys would have made fun of me and called me sissy, and we
+went at it like fury. He made my nose bleed, and I guess I gave him a
+black eye; and I kicked his shins--he's got fat legs. He's just a
+bounder and teacher said he'd wind up in the reform school. I just
+wish he would!" with an angry zest.
+
+"How do boys learn such shocking talk?" asked Aunt Florence, "When
+they never hear it at home, and as for fighting--"
+
+"It is in the outside air and perhaps like measles runs through
+boyhood. Jack, I want you to stand up for yourself though I don't
+admire street fights."
+
+"But I won't be called nasty names, and he said I was a sneak of a
+devil--"
+
+"Try and keep out of the way of such boys. But if you _must_ fight
+stand up to it boldly. I think you didn't get the worst of it, but I
+guess it's good your mother came along just then, and now little boy
+you had better go to bed."
+
+Jack was very glad nothing had been asked him about Marilla. He was
+tired and drowsy. But Aunt Florence said, "Jack I think you were a
+very bad boy."
+
+Dr. Baker came in and took another look at Marilla whose pulse was
+still very fluttering.
+
+"What do you suppose it is?" asked Mrs. Borden, anxiously.
+
+"The child has a weak heart. Perhaps no organic disease at present,
+and if she gets through the next two or three years safely all may go
+well with her. But she ought not have any severe strain. Do you know
+anything about her family?"
+
+"She hasn't any, I took her from that Bethany Home. She's a nice,
+willing, pleasant girl and a splendid hand with babies. But she was
+with Miss Armitage all through that awful time we had with the
+children teething, and the babies _are_ good. I resolved I'd never
+make children so troublesome as Jack was, waiting on them hand and
+foot. I've had a different system with them."
+
+"The system seems to have worked well, but I think you need a stronger
+nursemaid."
+
+"I've never let her lift them, I knew it was not safe for them,"
+laughing. "Though think how poor children carry babies about; but now
+tell me about Aunt Hetty."
+
+"I think it is the beginning of the end. You can't quite tell, but
+she's pretty well worn out with the years, and she must have a steady
+nurse. A hospital would be best."
+
+"Yes, we will talk that over."
+
+"Have you any one for tonight?"
+
+"No. Is it as bad as that?" and Mrs. Borden turned pale.
+
+"I should advise an emergency nurse for a week or so; by that time you
+can make some plans."
+
+Mrs. Vanderveer was comfortable, but she did not want to be left
+alone.
+
+"Oh, isn't it dreadful, Florence, that this should happen just now. If
+it only could have waited until Christmas," Mrs. Borden said with
+tears in her eyes. "I meant you should have such a happy wedding.
+You've always been like an own sister to me."
+
+"Well, we won't worry tonight. Only--"
+
+Miss Armitage came in and heard the story through.
+
+"Let me telephone at once to the nurses' home, then you will feel
+relieved. And perhaps it would be a good thing to send Marilla to me
+for a little while again."
+
+"I cannot do without a nurse girl."
+
+"But a week or two may restore Marilla."
+
+The nurse came, a wholesome middle aged body who had been for weeks
+with a helpless paralytic. And so the midnight found them all
+comfortable. Marilla was left on the lounge. Miss Armitage sat a long
+while in her soft wrapper planning about the child she felt she must
+rescue. Oh, she _did_ want her. She did not try to give any reason for
+the love that had stolen almost unaware in her heart, or the faith
+that this child would not disappoint her. Every year she was growing
+older, every year she longed more for some one of her very own. Why
+should she not play fairy godmother in earnest? She must have Dr.
+Richard's verdict.
+
+For Mrs. Borden with many kindly qualities looked at matters only as
+they applied to herself. When Marilla was eighteen she would come to
+the freedom of a bound-out girl, too old to begin another life,
+settled in a rut--if she lived. Was she not one of the little ones
+that might be rescued and live out a higher life? There were many who
+could not, but she felt she must go carefully.
+
+Mrs. Holmes proved an admirable nurse and Aunt Hetty took to her in an
+astonishing manner. She was attractive to the children, as well, who
+greeted her with a smile.
+
+On the next day Dr. Baker admitted the paralysis was gaining rapidly
+and thought she could not last long. That evening she said to the
+nurse, "Send Mr. Borden up here, and you stay down with the ladies."
+
+He came up and greeted her cordially, hoping for better things, as
+friends are wont to say.
+
+"No, John, there will not be any better, so we won't indulge in make
+believes. Carry and James were quite sure this way of living wasn't
+good for me. They wanted me to buy a house and make it over to them
+and they would care for me the rest of my life. I've lived with Carry,
+paid her good board, too, so I knew what that would be. I couldn't
+live quite alone, you see--I always wanted some one round that I could
+see if I wanted to. Old people do get queer. So when I had to
+foreclose here I made you this offer. You're the only one of them all
+who has not asked me outright for money, and I honor you for it. Your
+mortgage here is twenty-three hundred."
+
+"Yes," he said with a vague sort of hope that she wasn't going to ask
+him to settle it.
+
+"I want you to get it cancelled; I'll give you the order. I've meant
+to do this the last year. Carry worried so at me that I went away with
+her and felt none the better for it. I'd rather staid at home with
+Bridget. So you see to that at once. And I want to make a new will."
+
+"Aunt Hetty! Well, I don't know what to say," and his tone showed his
+surprise. "Don't say anything." She gave her little cackle of a laugh
+that always had a sound of derision in it. "You know I can't take any
+of it with me, and I'd like to know it will make few people pleased
+and happy. I'm going to make you executor, so get some one else to
+write out the will. I fixed it to my liking today. You've all been
+very good to put up with my whims and queernesses. Old people don't
+like too much advice, especially where money is concerned. Look in the
+second drawer there--in a long envelope."
+
+"Thank you for this expression of your satisfaction. The babies and
+Jack may have been a nuisance at times."
+
+"But that little girl's been good enough to make up for any
+annoyance--not that there's been much. Jack's a smart, funny little
+fellow. You know they're all more or less bad, but they grow up pretty
+fair. There now, I'm tired."
+
+Mr. Borden wished her a kindly good-night and went down stairs to
+recount the wonderful interview.
+
+"Oh, John!" Mrs. Borden leaned her head down on her husband's
+shoulder. "What a streak of good fortune! Now we really do own the
+house free and clear, I thought our summering would be quite moderate
+but it wasn't. Still it did the babies an immense deal of good after
+they got over their awful time. And they're so nice and well now, and
+are growing better looking all the time. If Marilla only _could_ make
+their hair curl! It's so stringy, and we haven't worried at Aunt Hetty
+for what she did or what she didn't do, and weren't snappy when she
+found fault. I used to think she needn't have rung for Marilla quite
+so much, but the child never minded running up and down."
+
+"How has she been today?"
+
+"Well, I don't just know; Dr. Baker said she must keep pretty still,
+so she's laid on the old lounge, but the babies would crawl over her.
+It does seem as if we must have someone else--an older person, though
+some of them object to taking out children. But if we want to get much
+sewing done--"
+
+"I think I'll have a seamstress for a week or so," said Aunt Florence,
+"time goes on so fast."
+
+Marilla had gone up stairs to her own bed, where Bridget had crooned
+over her in tender Irish fashion.
+
+"An' I'm sore afraid them babies'll be the death of you, poor lamb!
+They drag on you so, and their chatter would drive me crazy."
+
+"But they're so funny."
+
+"I don't call it funny with their hundred and fifty wants," sniffed
+Bridget.
+
+Marilla turned faint now and then but for several days she was not
+sent out with the children. Miss Armitage came over every day to
+inquire about both invalids. Mrs. Vanderveer dozed a good deal and the
+numbness seemed crawling further up her body.
+
+"She may have another stroke and she may go just this way," said Mrs.
+Holmes, "I wouldn't give her more than a month at the longest. I've
+seen it so many times. But it is merciful for them not to last
+years."
+
+It was mid-October then. The seamstress proved a treasure. Garments
+were completed and laid away.
+
+"I want most of the work finished up in November," said Mrs. Borden,
+"then we can plan all the other matters."
+
+"I shall have to look up some one else. I want a nurse to take up the
+children in the morning and wash and dress them, and they must go out.
+They're losing all their lovely weather. Marilla doesn't seem to get
+along at all. If she's going to develop some heart trouble she will
+just be good for nothing. Of course, when I took her she seemed
+healthy enough, and it was the best thing to do then. John has had
+some good luck this fall and we don't need to think of saving up money
+for the mortgage. I could afford a regular nurse, and it would ease me
+up so much. I don't suppose they'd take Marilla back at the Home."
+
+"Talk to John about it if; we _could_ find a new place for her. Why,
+she would make a nice little waitress. If you could keep three girls,"
+laughingly.
+
+"Dear me, we must not spread out too rapidly, and somehow I'd hate to
+give her up. She trains the children so nicely. And have you noticed
+how sort of gentlemanly Jack is growing toward her? He was real
+rude."
+
+Jack had experienced many qualms of conscience about throwing the ball
+that day, but Marilla made no reference to it. Still she might tell
+Bridget, she and Bridget were such cronies, and Bridget would make an
+awful fuss.
+
+"Marilla," he said one night when she was getting him ready for
+bed--"I didn't mean to hurt you that day with the ball--you know. I
+didn't think girls were so tender."
+
+"I was tired and there had been something stopping my breath like, now
+and then, maybe it wasn't the ball."
+
+"You were good not to tell on a fellow. I'll never, never hurt you
+again, nor pinch you, nor be ugly to you. You're so sweet, Marilla,"
+and he clasped his arms around her neck, kissing her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE ARK OF LOVE
+
+
+The glowing golden October weather had given place to several lowering
+days. Furnaces and grates were started up, and overcoats brought out,
+and pedestrians hurried along. Even children did not stop to play, for
+now a cold drizzle had set in.
+
+It was very warm and cheery in Miss Armitage's library. There was a
+fire in the grate, a pot of beautiful red carnations on one stand, a
+great vase of roses on the other, and a dainty tea table set out with
+Wedgewood. Thursday afternoon she was always at home. From some cause
+there had been very few in. Jane came and put two big lumps of cannel
+coal on the fire and said a few words, then went to answer the ring at
+the door; it was Dr. Richards.
+
+"I'm glad to see you," she said. "Will you please light a burner or
+two?"
+
+"Oh, no, let us sit in this mysterious light and watch the blaze
+leaping over and around those black hillocks. Have you been busy
+today?"
+
+"Not very. Some days I don't feel in a working humor. I had only two
+calls this afternoon. Will you have a cup of tea?"
+
+"Yes; when have you been to the Bordens?"
+
+"Yesterday."
+
+"And how are the invalids?"
+
+"Mrs. Vanderveer is sinking in a comatose state; she doesn't suffer,
+which _is_ a great blessing toward the last. As for Marilla"--she made
+a pause.
+
+"Well--" inquiringly.
+
+"I'm not satisfied, she has such a blue, tired look. But she is about
+as usual. Dr. Richards, I want her."
+
+Something in the tone touched him. It seemed the cry of motherhood.
+
+"Well, wouldn't they give her up?"
+
+"I really think they would; a friend came to see if they did not want
+her nursemaid, a nice well trained girl of twenty; an excellent
+seamstress. She is going to California. Mrs. Borden told me this as we
+were down in the hall. Dr. Baker said something about the child's
+health that rather startled her. But before we could have any
+discussion another visitor called. She thinks Marilla doesn't have
+anything much to do; but the babies are a constant care. They want to
+be entertained every minute of the time. Violet is developing quite a
+temper and slaps her little nurse. All her mother said was 'Violet,
+that's naughty.' But you should have seen Pansy speak some Mother
+Goose rhymes. Marilla had been training her. The gestures, the roll of
+the eyes, the coquettish turn of the head was the daintiest thing you
+ever saw. Then she repeated--'Where are you going, my pretty maid?'
+and she had a little milk pail on her arm, and she managed to keep the
+two parts wonderfully distinct--it was remarkable in a child not three
+years old, and when she said--'Then I won't marry you, my pretty maid'
+and answered so pertly--'Nobody asked you, sir, she said,' it would
+have done credit to an exhibition. Her mother sprang up and kissed her
+rapturously, crying--'Isn't she the dearest and sweetest thing and the
+smartest! Think of her learning that and acting it off so completely,
+and not three years old! She is smarter than Violet'--and then Violet
+set up such a howl! Her mother pacified her by saying Marilla should
+tell her a piece, and after several efforts Cinderella did induce her
+to say by a great deal of prompting 'Milkman, Milkman, where have you
+been?' Think of the wear on the child's nerves, and she looked so
+tired. I really couldn't stand it a moment longer. They think she has
+nothing to do but just amuse those two strong irrepressible children
+who climb over her and torment her in every fashion. I can't stand it.
+I hardly slept last night thinking of it."
+
+"Can't you bring her over for a visit?"
+
+"I thought of proposing that. If I could persuade her to transfer the
+child to me--"
+
+"But if she gets another nurse?"
+
+"Yes, I must try. The strain on her is too great, and now for almost a
+week she has not been out of the house; Mrs. Borden bewails it for the
+childrens' sake. She thinks only of them with a mother's selfishness,
+and she doesn't give Marilla credit for these pretty ways or their
+intelligence. She is just their nurse girl. It is a cruel waste of the
+child's gifts."
+
+"I'd like to see Dr. Baker; most of all I'd like to see Marilla, but
+it wouldn't be etiquette to call."
+
+"I'll go tomorrow with courage enough to have a gentle talk or a
+straight out one," said Miss Armitage resolutely. "We try to save
+other lives, why not this one? And this one is dear to me. It has so
+much of promise in it, and life gets lonely sometimes."
+
+He longed to come into it, but he kept his promise. Until she made
+some sign he must be content with friendship. He rose abruptly and
+said he must be going. She did not detain him.
+
+It was raining a-softly now and he hurried along. His office was in a
+little ell part in a rather inviting looking house, and he took his
+meals with the tenant. The office boy was on the lookout for him, it
+was time he went home.
+
+"There's a gentleman in there waiting for you," he said with his
+good-night.
+
+The gentleman was comfortably ensconced in the Morris chair, smoking a
+cigar. Doctor Richards took a second look.
+
+"Why, Lorimer!" he exclaimed. "Where have you dropped from? I haven't
+seen you in an age--but I'm glad, old fellow; I was feeling rather
+down; I should have had a gay presentiment."
+
+"Remembering old times when we were both bloated aristocrats,
+favorites with the gods."
+
+"And are now earning daily bread," laughed the doctor. "At least I am
+and trying to help suffering humanity. Isn't that neatly put?"
+
+"I don't know whether I can claim all that; now and then I get some
+poor fellow's affairs out of a snarl and make him pay for it, and one
+end of something has drifted here to Newton and I'm after that, but I
+thought I'd hunt you up first. I've been here a good half hour."
+
+"And supper is ready in the house. Then we will have a good hour
+before any one drops in. Come in," and he opened a side door into a
+hall.
+
+There were three persons at the table, an elderly couple and a woman
+in the thirties. They made Mr. Lorimer cordially welcome and the
+supper was inviting. The guest asked some questions about Newton which
+was a quiet rather old fashioned town quite set in its ways.
+
+Afterward they settled themselves comfortably in the office.
+
+"I've come to hunt up some one--do you know anything about a Bethany
+Home for orphans, girls, I believe."
+
+Dr. Richards roused from his lazy position. "Yes, I know about it,
+though I never been on the staff. Why?"
+
+"I want to learn about a child placed there four or five years ago.
+Let me see," referring to a memorandum, "name, Marilla Bond; mother
+and father died in this town."
+
+"Marilla Bond. Yes. I know the child. What of her?"
+
+"I'll begin at the very first. Hardly two years ago Peter Schermerhorn
+died at the age of ninety-eight. He was the black sheep of an
+otherwise respectable family, went off and spent his portion in
+riotous living, afterward bought a tract of ground above Harlem,
+turned hermit, raised geese and ducks and pigs, married and had three
+daughters and they in turn married, glad, I suppose, to get away from
+the penurious living. So it went on. He had to give up the pigs and
+geese, did a little gardening and two years ago died without a will.
+Oddly enough he had kept a family record which has been of great
+service to us. The old shanty was a disgrace, the ground valuable.
+The city was bringing up one of its fine avenues and a syndicate made
+a proffer for the land. Of course the heirs soon scented this out, and
+our firm has been trying to settle the estate so the property can be
+turned into money, and a good deed given. We have found about
+everybody, I believe, but the mother of this child who is in very
+direct descent, eluded us a long while."
+
+"And this child is one of the heirs?" in surprise.
+
+"Exactly. Her mother came here after her marriage. The father was
+killed in some machinery mishap. The mother was in a store, a bakery,
+I believe, and dying, gave her little girl to the friend she had lived
+with, and the friend married and went out to Easton. We found she did
+not take the child with her but put her in this Bethany Home with some
+important papers. So we want the child and the papers."
+
+"The child was twelve, a year ago September. She was bound-out to some
+fairly nice people as a little nursemaid. And an heiress!" in a tone
+of glad surprise.
+
+"Well not to any great extent. There are a good many heirs it
+seems--ten thousand or so. But we had to know whether she was living
+or not on account of the title."
+
+His little Cinderella! Truly this was a fairy story. "Oh, are you
+_quite_ sure?" he said.
+
+"Oh, there's no doubt, if she is the true heir. But the woman at
+Easton attested a very straight story and knew of the husband's death,
+though she had not known him personally. The money is on the mother's
+side, you see, so his death is neither here nor there. And now--can't
+we go out and interview this place and the keeper?"
+
+"Hardly tonight. The matron is a rather rigid person I believe. We had
+best tackle her by daylight, and the child is almost in this vicinity.
+A rather unusual child I think, very sweet natured. Oh, I can't
+express all my delight. She is the kind of girl that ought to be
+educated, that should live in an atmosphere of love, and she is not
+really strong enough to take the rough and tumble of life. Oh, I can't
+tell you how glad I am." Lorimer surveyed his friend with a rather
+humorous smile. They had been chums during a summer in Switzerland
+and Holland, but he had not thought Richards much given to either love
+or romance.
+
+Then they branched off into old times when both had been rather
+wasteful. Lorimer was working hard to redeem that youthful
+extravagance; Dr. Richards cared nothing at all for the moneyed end of
+life.
+
+He would fain have kept his friend all night but Lorimer had engaged
+his room at a hotel. They were to meet as soon as possible in the
+morning.
+
+Bethany Home was quite in the suburbs, reached by a walk after one had
+left the trolley. The house was a big rambling place to which there
+had been made several additions. It had been a gift from a
+benevolently disposed woman, with a small endowment that was
+occasionally added to. There was quite a spacious garden and an
+abundance of rose vines.
+
+Yes, Mrs. Johnson was in and they were ushered into a large old
+fashioned apartment, scrupulously neat and formal. Mrs. Johnson was a
+somewhat portly woman turned of sixty, whose face had settled into
+severe lines, and she eyed her visitors rather suspiciously.
+
+"I am Dr. Richards," he began with a softening of the countenance,
+"and my friend Mr. Lorimer is a lawyer from New York who comes on a
+matter of business concerning a little girl who was an inmate of the
+Home until a little over a year ago--Marilla Bond."
+
+"Yes"--in a rather questioning manner.
+
+Lorimer told his story and the surprise in the woman's face was
+evident.
+
+"What is of most importance is to learn whether there are any papers
+to substantiate the claim. One has to be careful in the legal
+matters."
+
+She seemed to consider. "Yes," rather reluctantly. "The person who
+brought her here gave quite a box of papers and some trinkets to my
+safe keeping. We take charge of them until the girls are
+eighteen--then they have served out their time and are legally their
+own mistresses. Ours is quite a private institution and has no
+connection with the city, although it has a board of officers, of
+which I am president. Of course I keep watch over the girls who are
+bound-out. This Marilla has a very nice place. She was away all summer
+with the family. One of our managers visited this Mrs. Borden on her
+return and found everything satisfactory and the child content."
+
+"Could we look over the papers?"
+
+She seemed rather loth to produce them but she could find no excuse.
+She recalled the fact that she had seen Dr. Richards' name in
+connection with the Children's Hospital.
+
+Certainly there was enough to substantiate the claim. A marriage
+certificate, an attestation of the baby's birth, and old Dr. Langdon
+was still alive, though he had retired from practice. A packet of
+letters as well, two notices of Mr. Bond's accident and death.
+Everything was ready for corroboration.
+
+Mr. Lorimer gathered up the important papers. At first Mrs. Johnson
+rather demurred about his taking them away.
+
+"Why, I would have no object in destroying them. I should not be the
+gainer by it. And this is the last heir we have to trace. Now we can
+proceed to a settlement. The syndicate takes more than half the
+property and pays cash. The remainder can be easily sold. No one seems
+disposed to demand an extravagant price. You will hear from me before
+long, and I will return the papers."
+
+After they had settled that and left the lady, Lorimer said--
+
+"Now let us interview this Doctor Langdon."
+
+He was a somewhat feeble, white haired old man but received them very
+graciously and was much interested in the story. Turning to his book
+he refreshed his memory. Yes, there was the birth of the child. The
+mother he put down as rather delicate. A note some time after
+substantiated the accident and death of the father. He was very
+willing to give an affidavit. "You've been a tremendous help to me,
+Al," said Mr. Lorimer, "estates that have to be settled this way are
+an enormous bother, and thanks are poor pay," laughing.
+
+"I believe I shall demand something more. The child will need a
+guardian. She has several warm friends here, I'm not willing to lose
+sight of her. So I shall ask that office."
+
+"Well--why not? Some one must act until she is of age. Yes, I'll
+remember. I'm glad you spoke of it. I'll be up again. Indeed I'm quite
+curious to see how she takes her fortune."
+
+So the friends parted. Dr. Richards made several calls, stopped for
+some lunch, found a number of patients awaiting him and a message that
+had come from Miss Armitage, who wished to see him at once. She had
+had quite an eventful morning as well. Some vague presentiment had
+haunted her about Marilla and after disposing of a few business calls
+she hurried around to Arch street.
+
+Mrs. Borden answered the door.
+
+"Oh, Miss Armitage! We're so full of trouble! Aunt Hetty has just died
+and Marilla--oh, I don't know what will become of the child!"
+
+"She is not ill?" in a tone of anxiety.
+
+"Well, come in and sit down and let me tell you. They thought the
+first part of the night the poor old lady was dropping off quietly.
+Then toward morning she seemed to rally, and kept calling for Marilla.
+John had been up there most of the time and he said bring the child
+up. We didn't suppose she was really conscious. So Marilla went up. It
+was daylight, and just as soon as she went to the bedside the poor old
+lady held out both hands, and Mrs. Holmes said she really smiled, and
+then a horrible thing happened, like a fit, and her mouth all curled
+up and her eyes rolled up to the whites and Marilla screamed and
+fainted and the old lady was dead in a minute, and then the child
+fainted several times and they put her in her own bed--we'd had her
+down stairs. What did your doctor say about her last summer? Dr. Baker
+said her heart was weak. Now I think they oughtn't have sent a girl
+out from the Home who had any such thing the matter with her. She had
+it real easy, sitting on the floor playing with the babies. And we
+never let her carry them up and down stairs or put anything hard on
+her, and now you know they run all over and are very little trouble.
+They have always been such good babies, but if she is going to faint
+at every little thing she won't be much good. Mr. Borden has gone for
+that other girl and to attend to the necessary business. There will be
+the funeral and we shall have to take in some of the folks, I know.
+Mrs. Holmes will stay right along until we are straight again, but,
+it's asking a good deal I admit," and she paused.
+
+"Yes, let me take her." Miss Armitage had come primed with several
+arguments, but she saw they would not be needed.
+
+"Of course the shock was awful. Mrs. Holmes said she wasn't surprised,
+for Marilla was just going to clasp the outstretched hands, but the
+old lady came back to her natural looks and I'm so glad; but of course
+Marilla will be haunted by the sight--"
+
+"Yes, and you will have so much on your hands. Do you think she could
+walk that far or shall I order a hack?"
+
+"Oh, she came down to the nursery and Bridget brought her up some
+breakfast. There's the undertaker--"
+
+"I'll go up to the nursery," said Miss Armitage.
+
+A very wan little girl was pillowed upon the lounge. Jack had been
+sent to school without hearing of the happening. Violet was
+marching up and down ringing a little bell and saying "Go to door,
+Illa, go to door." Pansy was leaning over her with a book crying
+authoritatively--"Read to me, read to me."
+
+Miss Armitage lifted Pansy down but she started to climb up again. The
+lady sat down in the place and drew Marilla's head to her bosom and
+let the child cry there.
+
+"Illa can't read to you now," she said. "Poor Illa's sick."
+
+"'Tain't your Illa," said the child obstinately.
+
+"My dear," Miss Armitage began soothingly, kissing the tremulous lips,
+"you are going home with me. It has been dreadful I know, but you must
+try to forget it. Jane will be glad to have you and Dr. Richards will
+comfort you. Don't you remember what a nice time we had last summer?
+There dear--little Cinderella."
+
+Marina smiled faintly through her tears.
+
+"Oh, I am so glad. It was so sudden you know, and when she stretched
+out her hands."
+
+"She must have known you, and after all it was sweet to be remembered
+then. Are you very weak? But I'm afraid you couldn't walk to Loraine
+place."
+
+"I'm so--so shaky--"
+
+Aunt Florence entered the room and snatched the bell from Violet. "You
+must not make such a noise," she declared. "Oh Miss Armitage, you are
+always shocked by a death, aren't you? And poor Aunt Hetty has been
+dying the last week, though the doctor said she did not really suffer.
+But she's past eighty and that's a good long life. I do wonder if she
+really knew she was calling for Marilla, and the poor child has had a
+bad time. How good of you to offer to take her for awhile. Funerals
+are so dismal to a child."
+
+"I think I had better have a cab," said the guest. "Will you kindly
+telephone for one?"
+
+Miss Borden assented. Then she brought a frock for Marilla, and
+between them they had her dressed. Violet tumbled her box of blocks on
+the floor and began kicking them around.
+
+"Oh, dear! When you want quiet, children are always the worst! When
+that new girl comes she shall take them out in their carriage and we
+will have peace for a little while."
+
+Mr. Borden entered at that moment with a very pleasant-faced young
+woman.
+
+"Come through in my room," said Miss Borden, "and you can watch for
+the cab." She shut the door between, but the babies burst into a howl
+and she went back to pacify them.
+
+"Oh, I do feel better," exclaimed Marilla, and her eyes lightened up,
+"but no one seems to know just what to do to amuse the babies, I've
+grown so used to it."
+
+"They must get along without you for awhile. It is a pity they
+couldn't be sent away as well."
+
+The cab came presently. Mr. Borden almost carried Marilla down stairs.
+"Now get good and rested," he said. "It will be a sad time. Death
+always is."
+
+Oh, how delightful the beautiful house was! They went through to the
+library where the grate fire had been kindled and Marilla drew a long,
+happy breath. Why she felt almost well. Jane brought her some hot milk
+and presently spread a dainty little luncheon on the library table.
+They had quite a cheerful time and it seemed as if she improved every
+moment.
+
+Dr. Richards thought he would never get through with the office
+patients this afternoon and he was impatient to know what had
+happened. As for his own experiences they must be kept to himself for
+some time. Indeed he almost felt as if it was a dream. He had seen
+Marilla only three times since her return. First she had gone to the
+office to report to him and let him see what the seaside had done for
+her, then the episode of measles had kept her indoors as well as the
+babies. He had met her twice with her precious freight, and even on
+Sundays she had not found time to go to Miss Armitage.
+
+She told the story over to save the child's nerves. "And so the poor
+old lady has gone. Yet I think it hardly fair for you to have to wait
+upon her so much."
+
+"Oh then Mrs. Holmes came and she was very nice. But as soon as I came
+in with the babies she went out for her walk and Aunt Hetty wanted me
+to read to her. She liked so to have me read, and somehow she seemed
+gentler and quite sweet like after she was so poorly. I liked it
+better than being so much with the children. They were growing so big
+and strong and wanted to keep tumbling over me. It made me so tired
+sometimes."
+
+"Marilla is never going back there," Dr. Richards said decisively.
+"She isn't strong enough for a nurse girl."
+
+"No, she is not going back. I went out awhile ago to see that Mrs.
+Johnson, but she thought the place an excellent one, and that it was a
+bad thing to change girls about, making them dissatisfied everywhere,
+but I meant to bide my time, and find an opportunity. Now I think they
+will be willing to give her up as they have a grown-up woman. She came
+while I was there. Dr. Baker told them Marilla had a weak heart, and I
+think it startled them. They have no idea how hard she has been
+worked."
+
+Oh, he longed to tell her of Marilla's good fortune. Somehow they must
+manage to share the child between them. She had the lovely home and
+the mother heart, and he wanted a home with a sweet little girl in
+it.
+
+At Arch street there was a good deal of confusion. Cousins and nieces
+who had called only at rare intervals on Mrs. Vanderveer were most
+attentive, suddenly. They did wonder between themselves if Aunt Hetty
+was going to leave _all_ her money to John Borden!
+
+The new nurse, Lizzie by name, was really a great comfort. She took up
+the babies in the morning, bathed and dressed them and gave them their
+breakfast. They still took their midday nap but she managed to
+introduce some discipline, yet she was not harsh. Master Jack stood a
+little in awe of her. She was a good seamstress also.
+
+So passed the three days and they brought Aunt Hetty down in the
+parlor and put her in a fine casket, keeping the doors shut until the
+hour for service. Mrs. Seymour had the nurse bring the children in her
+house. So they said prayers reverently, sang some lovely parting hymns
+and laid her away, her long life on earth finished.
+
+The relatives were asked to meet at Mr. Borden's office the next day
+at ten to hear the will read.
+
+Was ever any will satisfactory where property was divided up into
+small gifts? Five hundred dollars to this one and to that one, three
+hundred apiece to some others. Jack, Jr., had five hundred, the
+babies, three hundred, and Marilla Bond, three hundred.
+
+"It was very nice of her in a way," said Mrs. Borden, "but I think one
+hundred dollars would have been remembrance enough for the little
+waiting on she did, and I find Lizzie is of much more service than she
+was. Of course she costs more. I shall go out to the Home some day
+and give her up on account of her health. Miss Armitage might as well
+take her. She'll make a nice little waitress maid. And now that the
+house is clear I feel that we needn't economize so closely. You and
+John get your five hundred with the rest, and she gave me her diamond
+ear rings after we came back in the summer. It was smart in her not to
+have John make her will, so none of them can say he persuaded her.
+Well, now we can settle ourselves to the next thing."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A WONDERFUL HAPPENING
+
+
+Mrs. Borden was surprised that Mrs. Johnson received back Marilla
+Bond's indentures with no remonstrance or objection. She certainly had
+not known about this weak heart. The child had never been ill, but
+something else might come to hand. She was glad there was no other
+reason and that the little girl had proved trustworthy.
+
+Miss Armitage was also surprised that Mrs. Johnson would not agree to
+an immediate transferrence.
+
+"You may go on keeping her for awhile," said the lady in a lofty
+manner. "_You_ may tire of her. We will see presently."
+
+That was all the permission she could get and it was a blow to Miss
+Armitage. She had come to love the child with a fervor she had hardly
+dreamed of and Marilla simply adored her. Dr. Richards teased her a
+little about her fortune. She was quite a welcome guest at the Bordens
+and the twins almost devoured her when she came, but poor Bridget was
+nearly heart broken.
+
+"If I had a little girl of my own I could hardly love her any better,
+and Marilla Bond, if I was a rich woman I'd steal you some day and
+we'd go off to some place in Europe, Paris, maybe, and have a
+beautiful house and servants to wait on us and horses and a carriage
+and we'd travel about like grand folks. It would be as nice as that
+night when you went to the palace and danced with the Prince, and I'd
+buy you fine clothes and diamonds and I'd wait on you hand and foot; I
+don't wonder the babies loved you. You are the sweetest thing the good
+God ever sent down here!"
+
+And then Marilla hugged Bridget and kissed her and they both cried out
+of pure love.
+
+"That Lizzie does very well and don't bother me, but it isn't like
+having some one to slip up to you with a smile of sunshine that warms
+your heart through and through."
+
+Yet it was flattering to be so well loved, but she did not want to
+come back and be a nurse maid again. Ah, if she could only stay with
+Miss Armitage! She began to study a little, she was so eager to learn.
+The music enchanted her and she was delighted to pick out tunes with
+her soft touch.
+
+"I don't understand what Mrs. Johnson means," Miss Armitage said to
+the doctor. "I offered to adopt Marilla and educate her and see that
+she was well placed in life. I have no near relatives, and I don't
+believe I shall ever marry, I like my life as it is, but she was so
+sort of mysterious and secretive and declared she could not give an
+answer at present, as if she had some further plans. I did make the
+most of her having a weak heart--you said so and Doctor Baker as well.
+Oh, do you believe there is any real danger?"
+
+She turned pale at the thought.
+
+"With care I think she will outgrow it. She has lived in an
+overstrained atmosphere with those children. Then it was a dreadful
+shock to have the old lady die that way when she was looking for a
+tender recognition. What happened about a fortnight before?"
+
+"I do not know, I found her unconscious. The ladies were out, the old
+Aunt had a stroke. It is such a sweet, promising life, and can be
+developed into something worth while. You may think me visionary--"
+
+Oh, why could she not see this other life that might be blessed and
+broadened by her love!
+
+"I am afraid there is something back of it all that I cannot fathom,"
+she continued. "It haunts me. Suppose you were to see this Mrs.
+Johnson. A man can sometimes penetrate plans--"
+
+And he was in collusion with Mrs. Johnson, keeping the secret from the
+woman he loved, but if there should be some mistake!
+
+"Yes, I will see Mrs. Johnson," he said slowly.
+
+A light footfall came down the stairs, and Marilla flew to his side.
+
+"Oh, I thought I heard your voice," and both small hands clasped his.
+"Fairy godmother I have spelled all those queer words until I can just
+feel them in my brain. Oh, doctor, when I wrote you that letter last
+summer wasn't some words wrongly spelled? You see I _had_ forgotten
+some things, and I am learning so much. I want to stay here, and I
+don't believe any one else wants me--only the babies might."
+
+When she glanced up at times it seemed as if the pupil that was so
+much darker than the iris that it flooded it with the tint of the
+under wave that seemed to overflow the crest of the swell. They were
+unusual eyes, changing with every emotion. She looked quite well
+again, and the lips were rosy.
+
+"Oh, you don't?" with a queer little smile. "Well the babies can't
+have you."
+
+"Oh, Bridget thinks if she were rich she would run away with me," and
+she laughingly detailed the woman's plan for their journeying about.
+
+"If Bridget should get a windfall--servants do sometimes, we should
+have to keep a sharp eye on you both, and now I must go."
+
+"Can't he stay to dinner?" She crossed over and pressed Miss
+Armitage's hand to her soft cheek.
+
+"Why we shall be glad to have him, but you must notify Jane and
+Norah."
+
+She returned with the compliments of both. While they were waiting for
+the summons and being beguiled with her pleasant chatter he was
+thinking what a charming family group they would make. If he only had
+the old fortune!
+
+They had an enjoyable time and when they returned to the library she
+begged him to play chess. She was so fond of following the devious
+course of the opposing parties.
+
+"Office calls will not begin until eight," he said and she rolled up
+the table and brought out the beautiful chess men. She was always so
+deft it was a pleasure to watch her.
+
+He was playing for the white queen; he often did. This time he studied
+his moves cautiously. But Miss Armitage had played so much with her
+uncle. Then the telephone rang and he went astray.
+
+She answered it. "For Dr. Richards, a Mr. Lorimer was in the office,
+wanted to see him at once. Important; everything was progressing
+finely. Could he not see the little heiress that evening?"
+
+He looked at Miss Armitage in ludicrous dismay.
+
+"What is it?" she asked.
+
+"Your sin finds you out, doesn't it?" with an amused yet deprecating
+smile. "I suppose I ought to have explained before, but really I could
+hardly believe it would amount to anything. Marilla must have come
+from fairy land to have all these things happen to her. May I ask Mr.
+Lorimer here?"
+
+"Certainly. You are very mysterious."
+
+Dr. Richards went on with the telephone talk, giving explicit
+directions how to find Loraine place where they were all assembled,
+and, all anxious to hear his story. Then he took both little soft
+hands in his.
+
+"What would you say if a real fortune was coming to you?"
+
+"Why there's Aunt Hetty's money and that will double in fourteen
+years, Mr. Borden said, but I like fairy godmother better than any
+fortune. Come, and go on with the game."
+
+"No, I must explain to Miss Armitage. This was why Mrs. Johnson acted
+rather queer. She was enjoined to silence. And the funny thing was she
+didn't half believe it."
+
+He sat down and placed his arm around Marilla, drawing her nearer.
+Miss Armitage had a little jealous pang.
+
+"On the side of Marilla's mother an old man died recently who was
+nearly a hundred. He had a sort of farm and an old house and lived
+like a hermit with pigs and ducks and chickens. He had six children,
+but they married and went off. This is the fourth generation. There
+was no will so they had to find all the heirs in order to get a good
+deed to the property. They traced Mrs. Bond and learned she has left a
+child. They found the woman who had kept her, but on her re-marriage
+she had placed the child at Bethany Home, Newton. So Mr. Lorimer, an
+old chum of mine came to this place, as he is a member of the firm
+settling the estate. We went out to the Home--"
+
+"How long ago?" asked Miss Armitage.
+
+"Well, something over a fortnight. We had a rather difficult time to
+persuade Mrs. Johnson to give up the important papers. She is very
+matter of fact and I suppose has heard many a wild story that came to
+nothing. You see she always keeps whatever comes with a child until
+the girl is eighteen, when they are given to her. We found old Doctor
+Langdon who could substantiate everything and who gave an affidavit,
+so they were to proceed at once to a settlement. The city has taken a
+strip for an avenue extension, and they want a good deed. I heard
+from Lorimer a few days ago, and he said that everything was right,
+that he should be at Newton shortly and wanted to see Marilla Bond."
+
+"And how much may this wonderful fortune be?" The lady's tone was
+slightly sarcastic. "They are apt to shrink by payment time."
+
+"Somewhere about ten thousand, I believe. Not enough to make one a
+millionaire, but it will educate her and give her some journeys
+outside of fairy land," laughing a little. "Perhaps fairy godmother
+won't send you adrift for such an accident," looking down in the
+wondering eyes.
+
+"The best fortune of all is fairy godmother." Marilla went around and
+kissed her, clasped both her hands.
+
+"When I heard from Lorimer that it was all fair sailing I went out and
+called on Mrs. Johnson. Well, you should have seen her! She was quite
+set up on a pinnacle and declared that she must write out the story.
+It is as well I suppose that Newton should have it first hand, and she
+will take most of the glory. The Bordens will be surprised."
+
+There was a touch of awkwardness in the silence. Miss Armitage did not
+take kindly to the fortune. She would rather have the child owe
+everything to her. She had plenty of money. It would be like a young
+sister growing up beside her, for somehow she felt curiously young.
+Marilla had a simple charming grace that would render her very
+attractive. Her perfect candor and honesty joined with a peculiar fine
+reticence unusual in a child had appealed strongly to Miss Armitage.
+Even her gratitude had a winsome delicacy in it, and it would be a
+gracious work to train her in lovely womanly ways through the years to
+come.
+
+Did the child feel the subtle atmosphere?
+
+"Fairy godmother, you will always be the best thing in my life," she
+said in a soft, sweet tone. "In the summer when I was wondering in
+that strange country and could not remember much, I felt a sweet quiet
+when you came, just as if some one found me and I was safe. Oh, I had
+never loved any one so dearly. I saw so little of my own mother and
+she was always tired, fairy godmothers are different."
+
+The door bell rang. "That must be Lorimer," said Dr. Richards and he
+reached the hall just as Jane opened the door. Miss Armitage let him
+greet his friend before she rose.
+
+"Can't I bring him in here?" asked the doctor.
+
+"Oh, yes."
+
+"This room is my ideal, Lorimer. The grate fire and the shelves of
+books give one an immediate welcome. And allow me to present you to
+the presiding genius, Miss Armitage."
+
+It was indeed a charming home with an atmosphere that penetrated one's
+soul, and they two looked as if they might have been born in it, they
+impressed you as being a subtle part of it. It was like a vision as
+Lorimer was seating himself, and his eyes caught the situation of the
+chess men.
+
+"Some one made a false move," he exclaimed, laughing.
+
+"Is the white queen in danger? I can't have her taken," Marilla said
+breathlessly.
+
+"Oh, are you on her side? If I had time I'd rescue her. I suppose my
+friend here, the doctor, has explained my errand--the rest is--you
+are the little white queen and I am an ogre come to capture you and
+take you away."
+
+"But I'm not going," returned the child. "When one has a fairy
+godmother one is enchanted and the evil ogre is powerless."
+
+"Oh, is it that way? Then I must sue humbly to the power above and
+present my case, for indeed, if you didn't want your fortune you would
+stop the wheels of division and perhaps be accused of contempt of
+court--which you don't know a word about. You are quite a little
+heroine with your romantic story, and I am charged to bring you into
+court and prove you are Marilla Bond, entitled to a slice of this pie
+they are going to serve."
+
+"Are there four and twenty black birds in it?" she asked mirthfully.
+
+"Oh, more than that, but there is no flaw in your claim, and I have
+unearthed a delightful relative for you, a cousin of your mother's
+with whom much of her early life was passed. After her marriage they
+seemed to fall apart as people often do, and she heard you were all
+dead. She has three charming girls, fourteen, eleven and seven. Mrs.
+Warren made me promise to bring you direct to her; she is very
+anxious to see you and will take good care of you."
+
+Miss Armitage had a stunned sort of feeling. There were relatives who
+might have a right to her. She was no longer a waif for some one's
+charity.
+
+"You will bring her back?" she said hurriedly.
+
+"Oh, of course. They are not likely to make her a ward in chancery as
+if she had a million. Dr. Richards will be her guardian, you will like
+that, won't you?" smiling at her bright-eyed watchfulness.
+
+"I don't quite know what a guardian is," doubtfully, glancing at her
+oldest friend, "Mr. Borden never spoke of one."
+
+"That estate has not been settled yet," remarked the doctor. "A
+trustee might answer for that."
+
+"A guardian is a person appointed to see that you have a good home,
+and do not waste your money, but I have heard of guardians who wasted
+it for you. We shall have the doctor bound securely, and you must have
+an allowance for clothes and various needs, such as ice cream and
+candy."
+
+Marilla laughed then. It seemed amusing and very delightful that the
+doctor should have some real right to her.
+
+"You have never been to New York?"
+
+"Oh, no!" with a wonder in her tone.
+
+"Then it will be a great treat. Can she be ready by tomorrow
+morning?"
+
+"Will she be really needed?"
+
+"Oh, yes, tomorrow is set for the finishing of her business; I must
+get back early. There is a big fight on another estate. What an amount
+of litigation money does make! This has been clear sailing after we
+found all the heirs and fenced out all those who had no claim. Miss
+Marilla Bond, I congratulate you, and I should really like to hear
+Mrs. Johnson on the subject. Were you happy there?"
+
+"I liked it better at Mrs. Borden's, but it is best here," she
+answered.
+
+They branched off into several amusing episodes. Miss Armitage ordered
+some coffee and cake. Lorimer glanced at the chess men.
+
+"Why were you on the side of the white queen?" he asked.
+
+"Because--because I chose her for Miss Armitage, and nothing must
+happen to her."
+
+Oh! There was an earnest of love in the beautiful eyes. She was a
+charming little girl.
+
+Then they made all arrangements; they were to take the 8:10 train.
+"Could Marilla be ready that early in the morning?"
+
+"Yes," was the rather reluctant answer.
+
+They made their adieu. Lorimer thanked her for a delightful evening.
+
+"I suppose it's all settled, old fellow! You are lucky with the
+prospect of such a home and such a presiding--shall I call her the
+goddess of the hearth? That room is a perfect gem, and you three
+people are to the manner born."
+
+"Not so fast if you please. It is outside of my daily life, a place of
+rest and refreshing where a pilgrim may pause now and then."
+
+"You two people are in love."
+
+"I am, I admit."
+
+"Then you are a dolt if you don't go in and win."
+
+"I asked her more than a year ago. She gave me friendship. We are
+simply good comrades in our work for the world."
+
+"She doesn't look like a woman whose heart is buried in some one's
+grave."
+
+"She has a foolish, insurmountable reason. I am a few years her
+junior," he said in a half satiric tone. "And I have a reason that
+escaped me then. She is rich and I am comparatively poor."
+
+"Nonsense! There should never be anything but pure love between the
+man and the woman who are the complement of each other. What a
+fascinating picture you three made! And you both love the child. I'm
+glad she is going to have a chance with education. With those eyes she
+ought to be beyond the ordinary."
+
+"Then she will be in good hands."
+
+"Al--you are an idiot. Some day you will rue this shilly-shallying."
+
+Dr. Richards' reply was an unmirthful laugh, as if he was not rueing
+the mischance all the time. But he was proud and would not go back of
+his word.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A NEW ATMOSPHERE
+
+
+They came back to the sleepy grate fire. Miss Armitage said--"You must
+go to bed for you will have to be up early in the morning."
+
+"I shall only stay a little while," as if she had been musing over her
+journey. "Fairy godmother why don't you come, too?"
+
+"Well, you see I was not asked, I am outside of all this business."
+
+The voice was on the verge of a touch of bitterness, though nature and
+endeavor had made it sweet.
+
+"Why, that's funny. They did not know how much I should want you. I'll
+ask the doctor in the morning. Oh, I wonder if I shall like those
+little cousins?"
+
+"No, dear, you must not speak of it. There is nothing for me to do.
+Sometime we will go to the city together and have a nice outing."
+
+"Are you glad the doctor is going to be my guardian, and--about the
+fortune?"
+
+"You couldn't have a better one."
+
+"Can't women be guardians? But I'd rather have you for a fairy
+godmother. No one else in the whole wide world could be that, you
+know. For the one in the dream wasn't truly alive. I don't believe she
+could have taken care of a sick body. Oh you are so sweet! I love you!
+love you!"
+
+Would the child always love her? She was coming to the crucial years.
+She was very fond and sincere now, but she had cause to be grateful.
+She knew so little of the world, she had a winsome charm that was
+unfolding every day, she would be attractive to others. Jane was her
+fervent admirer, Bridget adored her, the babies capered around when
+they saw her in a species of Indian dance.
+
+Yes, she would win love, she would not be dependent on her alone.
+Would there come a time when she would flit from the wing of fairy
+godmother and find her only an ordinary friend?
+
+There seemed a sudden dreariness in the world like a bright day
+clouding over. It ought not look so to a woman of five and thirty
+with health and prosperity and plenty of work that did interest her.
+Other orphan girls might appeal to her to make their lonely lives
+blossom with hope and happiness.
+
+Yes, she must let her go with earnest wishes for her future. She would
+rejoice in whatever came to her and not ask all the fragrance of the
+sweet young soul. So she kissed Marilla a tender good-night.
+
+There were tears in the child's eyes when she started on her journey.
+Mr. Lorimer met them at the station with a beautiful box of
+chocolates, and there was a pile of illustrated papers. She had so
+little idea of money that even now it was not to be weighed in the
+balance with fairy godmother.
+
+They passed through pretty towns but autumn had stripped the gardens
+of their beauty. Even the clumps of evergreens on the lawns looked
+lonesome. She had never gone through a gloomy tunnel before and was a
+little frightened. Emerging from it the great city filled her with
+wonder.
+
+Then they took a hack. Oh, how full of everything the streets were,
+pedestrians dodging this way and that, vehicles in a snarl and
+trolleys whizzing by. It was a miracle people did not get run over.
+
+They reached their destination and Lorimer ushered them in a sort of
+ante room, taking her to a lady who rose to greet them.
+
+"And so this is cousin Marion's little girl who has been motherless
+for years! We heard you were dead. If I had known you were living I
+should have come for you. We were very dear to each other but on her
+marriage she went away. I can't see that you resemble her much except
+that she was fair and had light curly hair, and how she did hate it!"
+laughed Mrs. Warren.
+
+"I like it," rejoined Marilla.
+
+"And she used to soap it and brush it and would never let it really
+curl; but it was a bed of waves. Oh, child! I'm glad to see you. I was
+very fond of your mother, and though our fortunes are not very large I
+suppose we can be thankful for them. It was a great surprise to me.
+You're hardly old enough to realize all its benefits."
+
+Lorimer went to see when their turn would come. Mrs. Warren and the
+doctor talked about Marilla. Then they were summoned to a crowded
+room where men were signing papers and there was such a hum of talking
+it was like a swarm of bees.
+
+Marilla held tightly to Mrs. Warren's hand. Dr. Richards was answering
+questions and a man seemed to verify them from books and papers. They
+had a corner to themselves. Then Marilla was questioned about the Home
+and her being bound-out and she had to declare she was the same little
+girl, that her mother and father were dead, that she had always lived
+at Newton.
+
+Then some papers were signed and she was taken in a small room which
+was filled with tall cases and a great business desk where sat a
+sharp-eyed man. He wheeled around so suddenly that she started.
+
+"Don't be frightened," he said. "Is Dr. Richards a relative? Do you
+live with him?"
+
+"No, but he had been so good to her when Miss Armitage had taken her
+in so she need not go to the hospital. She had been bound-out but the
+family could not take care of her. Some one had just died."
+
+"Would she like Dr. Richards for her guardian? Had any one told her
+she must have him?"
+
+"Oh, I want him, I love him," and the flood of eager joy in her sweet
+face answered him as truly as the words.
+
+He was curiously interested and drew her out a little further, charmed
+with her simplicity.
+
+Then Doctor Richards had to sign the bond and they were dismissed.
+Mrs. Warren would take her home, and her guardian would come in the
+afternoon and take dinner with them and meet Mr. Warren.
+
+There were two trolley rides, then a walk from the corner. The house
+was in a brick row up on the East side with a little park opposite,
+and the river only a block away.
+
+The basement windows had tall iron bars that suggested a prison to the
+child. They ascended the high stoop and the hall door was flung open
+while a chorus of eager voices cried--
+
+"Oh, is this the new cousin?"
+
+"Yes, Marilla Bond. This is Edith, this is May and this is our baby
+Jessie--"
+
+"We were afraid you wouldn't get here in time. We had begun our
+lunch--"
+
+"Run back dears, we will be down in a minute."
+
+They kissed Marilla with sweet heartiness that won her at once. Mrs.
+Warren took off her wrap and hat and they went down. How strange it
+was to have these girls smiling and expressing delight.
+
+"You're going to keep her, mother?" declared Edith.
+
+"Oh yes, as long as her guardian will let her stay. You will find her
+here when you come back."
+
+"And wasn't it funny to have a fortune drop down on you? Mother could
+hardly believe it at first, and then we were so glad to find you."
+
+Marilla glanced up with a smile, but she wanted to cry for very joy.
+
+Then they kissed her again and ran off to school.
+
+"Were there any children where you lived?"
+
+"Not at Miss Armitage's. That was where I was ill. She took me in, but
+I had to go back to Mrs. Borden's when I was strong enough. And then
+an old lady died and I fainted again and the doctor said it was
+something with the heart, and they had to take a bigger girl. Then I
+went to Miss Armitage again. She is so dear and sweet. I want to stay
+there always."
+
+"You poor child! You see we were in Western New York when your mother
+died and we didn't hear of it in a long while. We should not have let
+you go to that Home. Were they good to you?"
+
+"Well, you see some of the children were not very good, and they only
+gave you so much to eat. Sometimes you felt real hungry. I tried to be
+good for I didn't like to be punished," she said naively. "You had to
+scrub floors and learn psalms, when you didn't get whipped. I liked
+the hymns, only they were not always sweet and pretty, and we went in
+school at nine and had one little recess. Then after dinner, and
+school until four, and if you missed you had to stay in. You sewed
+half an hour then and could play out of doors until six, then you had
+supper and went to bed."
+
+"What kind of sewing was it?"
+
+"Oh, you hemmed towels and sheets and pillow cases, and mended. The
+little girls couldn't, so you had to look after their things, and darn
+their stockings. On Saturday afternoon one of the teachers took you
+out walking but it was in the woods and the country. All the girls
+were _so_ glad when they were twelve or almost, so they could get
+away. Mrs. Johnson was very sharp."
+
+"And the lady you went to live with?"
+
+"Oh she was very nice; and her sister. There was a boy of five and
+twin babies--"
+
+"You didn't have to take care of the babies?"
+
+"Only to play with them and amuse them. They were very fat and Mrs.
+Borden didn't like me to lift them. Then I used to wheel them in their
+carriage. I liked that only when it was very cold--or hot. The stores
+were so pretty, and you met other girls. I used to read the books in
+the windows; Jack had lots of books. I used to show the pictures to
+the babies and tell them stories and they would laugh so, just as if
+they understood it all. They were very good and merry, but it was a
+long while before they could walk, they were so fat."
+
+"How did she come to let you go?"
+
+"It was one very hot day--and somehow I was so dreadfully tired all
+the time, I sat down on a stoop--it was a beautiful, shady street with
+great trees, and most everybody had gone away. The babies were not
+very well and a little cross. You had to be doing things all the
+while, and--I don't know what happened, but I fell off the stoop and
+some one picked me up and then Miss Armitage who lived opposite came
+over and had me taken to her house and for a long while I just seemed
+in the dark and didn't know anything. It was then that Dr. Richards
+came. They were all so good, and it was like being in heaven. The
+Bordens had gone to Long Island and the babies were very sick getting
+some teeth, and they wanted me, I was bound, you know, so I had to go
+as soon as I was well enough. Part of it was very nice; the babies
+could walk then. After we came back"--she made a little pause for she
+had not even told Dr. Richards Jack's part in the mishap--"I fainted
+one day. Their old aunt was ill and she wanted me, so I went and--it
+was dreadful--she died and I fainted again. Then Miss Armitage came
+and took me home with her. Mrs. Borden took a new nursemaid, a grown
+up woman and was willing to let me go, and these other things
+happened. Oh, I want to stay always with Miss Armitage."
+
+"You poor little girl! I think you have had a rather hard time. What
+does Dr. Richards say?"
+
+"The other doctor said I had a weak heart. Does that make you faint
+away? It's almost like dying--you don't seem to know anything for a
+long while, and it is very hard to get back."
+
+"You have been worked pretty hard I guess." How simply the child had
+told her story. "But now life will be better. I am very glad this
+little fortune has come to you, and now I am going up stairs a few
+moments, and you may look over the books on the table. I will soon be
+back."
+
+Instead Marilla looked about the room. The front one was the parlor,
+very nicely furnished. The back one shut off the end of the hall.
+There were three French windows reaching to the floor, the last one
+being a door leading out to an enclosed porch with windows that would
+be very pleasant in summer. There was only a small yard with a tiny
+grass plot and an alleyway running through at the back.
+
+There was a big book case in one recess, a lounge, a Morris chair and
+a substantial center table containing books and papers. It had a
+home-like, well used look, with several cosy rocking chairs.
+
+Mrs. Warren returned with some sewing and without evincing undue
+curiosity led Marilla to talk of her past, though the child really
+knew very little about her mother and seemed to have no tender or
+regretful regard for this Mrs. Jaques. But her whole heart went out to
+Miss Armitage in something like worship.
+
+The girls came home and in a short time they were all friends. It
+seemed odd to them that Marilla had never been to a real school.
+Jessie was in the kindergarten, but would enter the primary in
+February. May was there and Edith hoped to get in the High School
+another year. Then they carried her off to their play room. This was
+the hall bedroom on the next floor. There was a small book case, a
+sort of closet with glass doors where playthings were kept and one
+shelf devoted to dolls. Marilla stood entranced before it.
+
+"Have you many dolls?" asked May.
+
+"I never had a doll since my mama died," and there were tears in the
+child's voice.
+
+"But at Christmas--didn't you ever get a doll?"
+
+"I was in a home for orphan girls, Mrs. Johnson didn't think it was
+right for girls to waste their time on dolls. One Christmas some store
+sent such a beautiful lot and she returned them all. Some of us cried
+and we had to learn a lot of bible verses about improving your time.
+Occasionally a girl would get a clothes pin and tie the middle of her
+handkerchief around the head, and play it was a baby, and lend it out,
+then they would all get punished. I used to feel so sorry. Dolls are
+so sweet if they are only make believe. Where I lived the babies had
+rubber dolls that they could bang on the floor, but they were ugly.
+This one is splendid."
+
+"That is mine," said Edith. "One of our cousins brought it from Paris.
+It can walk a little and say 'Mama.' I'm too big to play with dolls,
+and I've given the others to May and Jessie."
+
+"And we play tea with them. It is so lovely out on the back porch in
+the summer and mother lets us take the things down there. And I can
+make clothes," said May. "But now you can have a doll, because you are
+going to have some money of your very own."
+
+"Yes," she returned slowly.
+
+There were many pretty things that Marilla wondered at. Edith took out
+her doll and put it in the visitor's arms. It had such a lovely face
+that Marilla hugged it up tight and wanted to kiss it. Why it was
+fifty times sweeter than the twins.
+
+Then they led her to their room. There were two pretty brass beds.
+
+"Edith has the smaller one because she sleeps alone," explained May,
+"and we little ones love to sleep together."
+
+There were two chiffoniers, and a big closet between the rooms, two
+pretty willow rockers and some lovely pictures beside various small
+gifts one could hang up or stand around. How charming it was!
+
+Edith said she must go and study her lessons. May brought out her
+pretty dishes and her card albums. One was partly full of such pretty
+kittens Marilla wanted to hug them. Another was Christmas, Easter and
+birthday cards.
+
+Marilla gave a soft little sigh. How many precious things she had
+missed out of her life! And though she could not have put it into
+words it was the tender companionship of childhood, of kindred tastes
+and eager loves. In the desert of Bethany Home all these emotions had
+been rigorously repressed. It was best for girls not to expect too
+much in the homes of other people, the little Cinderella whose place
+was in the chimney corner.
+
+"Marilla," called the voice of Mrs. Warren, in a sort of joyous tone,
+"Dr. Richards has come."
+
+She almost flew down stairs and he clasped her in his arms.
+
+"I am so happy," she cried in a voice tremulous with emotion. "It
+seems such a long, long while since morning so much has happened, and
+Mrs. Warren is to be my Aunt Grace, she said so, and I have three
+cousins!"
+
+Her face was alight with happiness.
+
+"I wonder if you would get homesick if we did not go back to Newton
+until some time next week?"
+
+"Oh, no. I shouldn't get homesick at all! But I couldn't stay away
+from fairy godmother a _long_ while. If I didn't have her, Aunt Grace
+would take me, and the girls are just splendid!"
+
+"I've been to a hospital this afternoon and I want to learn some new
+things to take home with me, so I will write. You must write, too.
+I've brought you some envelopes addressed and stamped. Why do you
+smile?"
+
+"I was thinking of the letter I wrote to you in the summer, and I had
+to beg everything to write with, and Edith has such a nice portable
+writing desk, and the girls have portfolios, and they all go to
+school. Oh, it must be splendid to go to school with a crowd of nice
+girls and have a lovely teacher."
+
+She had been leading him through the parlor. Mrs. Warren met them and
+he went on in the sitting room, apologizing for his early appearance.
+
+"Oh, I want you to come in and see your ward whenever you can, and I
+shall beg for quite a visit from her."
+
+"That will suit me. I feel that I have grown a little rusty and want
+to look into some new methods. What a wonderful city it is! It quite
+shames a country doctor."
+
+"I suppose so," smiling. "You should come in often. Mr. Warren will be
+home presently and glad to meet you. Will you excuse me a few moments?
+This is my eldest daughter, Edith."
+
+"And can't the others come?" asked Marilla.
+
+"Why, yes, if you like."
+
+Dr. Richards was used to children. He thought he liked girls the best,
+and this was an attractive circle. How Marilla was enjoying it. Her
+eyes quivered with flashes of pleasure. Yes, children needed other
+children to start the real flow of delight through their veins, and
+his little Cinderella did not suffer by comparison.
+
+Mr. Warren came in and welcomed his guest cordially, looking over the
+little girl about whom they had speculated. She was very attractive
+just now, with her face of sunshine and her eyes with their starry
+look under the long curling lashes.
+
+The men had to discuss the queer unexpected fortune. The Warrens had
+been notified nearly a year before.
+
+"But I hadn't much faith in it," laughed Mr. Warren. "My wife had
+really forgotten her family lineage, and we should hardly have claimed
+the Schermerhorns. There's so much red tape in these matters and by
+the time the expenses are paid, there's little left for the heirs, but
+this turns out better than I supposed, considering the many
+descendants the old man had. I can't complain of the lawyers."
+
+"And we were very glad to find Marion's child, though I wish I had
+known it when her mother died. Do you want to keep her at Newton?"
+
+"I think Miss Armitage has some claims," he returned.
+
+"And I feel as if we ought to make up for our negligence."
+
+The children were in a little huddle on the corner of the sofa. What
+was Newton like? A real city?
+
+"Why there are some beautiful long streets and stores and churches and
+a park and rows of houses built together like this, and schools and
+trolleys--"
+
+"Why it must be a city then?" said Edith. "Has it a mayor and a city
+hall and a postoffice?"
+
+"It has a mayor and a postoffice and a court house. Mr. Borden used to
+talk of going there."
+
+"It is a very old town," explained the guardian, "dating farther back
+than the Revolution, yet it was not much of a business center until
+the last thirty years; but it is very pretty and rather
+aristocratic."
+
+"Children," said their mother, "go and make yourselves ready for
+dinner."
+
+"What lovely curly hair," exclaimed May, half in envy. "I wish mine
+curled."
+
+"But you have two such beautiful braids." "Jessie's curled a little
+but it was so thin mother kept cutting it. Dear me! You wouldn't catch
+me soaping and brushing the curl out of it if mine curled," declared
+May.
+
+They had a rather merry time at dinner and the children did not seem a
+bit afraid to talk, though they were not aggressive. But Dr. Richards
+thought his little ward compared very favorably with the others. Her
+daintiness suggested Miss Armitage, he fancied.
+
+They sat a long while over their dessert of fruit and nuts, and then
+the guest said he would have to go as he wanted to attend a lecture by
+an eminent surgeon. He would be in tomorrow morning.
+
+"I thought I would take Marilla out shopping with me. Come in to
+dinner again and spend the whole evening."
+
+Dr. Richards promised to.
+
+The others went up to the sitting room. Mr. Warren took possession of
+the big Morris chair, May had one knee, Jessie the other and Edith
+seated herself on the broad arm and placed her arm over her father's
+shoulder. They always exacted an hour of their father and he gave it
+with the utmost fondness.
+
+"And here is a place for you, little Marilla," he said. "Now the chair
+is full. I've wondered sometimes if Edith wouldn't tip us over."
+
+"I'd have to be as fat as Auntie Belle to do that," she laughed, "and
+now papa I want Marilla to tell you about a queer Home she was put in
+where they wouldn't let the little girls have dolls nor playthings,
+and they made dollies out of clothes pins and had to hide them."
+
+"That was cruel to little girls. Why they have dolls by right and no
+one should prevent them. Didn't you play any?"
+
+"Oh yes, out of doors, tag and Uncle John and Scotland's burning, and
+Lady Jane, and Ring around a Rosy; and then in summer you had to pull
+weeds in the garden. When it rained you had to march in doors, but if
+you tried to dance a little you had to go and sit down. Oh, they were
+very strict."
+
+"And what else did you do?"
+
+"All the bigger girls made the beds and twice a week brushed up the
+floors, and every little while you went in the kitchen for a week and
+helped with the cooking so you would know how to work. When you were
+twelve they bound you out and you had to stay until you were
+eighteen."
+
+"But didn't you study any?"
+
+"Oh, yes, there was school every day."
+
+"And did _you_ get bound-out?"
+
+"Yes." She flushed a little.
+
+"But you did not stay?"
+
+"Oh, tell papa about the babies," cried Edith.
+
+"And did you ever notice the Campbell's soup little girl with her
+round eyes?"
+
+"Who gets fat on eating soup? Yes," and he laughed.
+
+"They looked something like that," said Marilla. "They were so fat and
+they had such round eyes, and you could make them laugh so easily. I
+went to take care of them and amuse them, but they were so good, they
+hardly ever cried, and I used to ride them round--they had such a
+beautiful wagon! But sometimes it seemed so heavy, it had to be big,
+you know, and then there was Jack. He wasn't very good, but after
+awhile he went to kindergarten."
+
+"But how did you get away if you were bound?"
+
+She told the story very simply and how a lovely lady took her in and
+she was ill a long while, and she knew this was a fairy godmother, so
+she always called her that, because--
+
+"Because what?"
+
+"It was a curious dream I had. Bridget said it was a dream; but it
+seemed so real, and I was Cinderella."
+
+"Oh, do tell us!" they pleaded.
+
+"I am afraid it's silly," and she flushed.
+
+"Cinderella is lovely, and did you see the Prince?"
+
+They all looked so eager that she was persuaded. So she began by
+sitting in the corner of the kitchen and they listened as if they were
+enchanted. She was so vivid it seemed as if her face was transfigured.
+Mrs. Warren dropped her sewing and bent forward.
+
+Edith drew a long breath and squeezed the new cousin's hand. "Oh" she
+cried, "it's lovelier than the real Cinderella, and you danced with
+the Prince? Can you dance--truly?"
+
+"Oh, yes, after that, I used to dance for Bridget. Mrs. Johnson
+wouldn't let you, she thought it wicked. It's queer how people think
+about things, and I danced for the babies. Mrs. Borden and her sister
+went to dancing parties; they didn't think it wrong. It's so
+beautiful."
+
+"Our cousins Isabel and Charlie Firth go to dancing school. Mother
+thinks I may go next winter. They are teaching it in some schools."
+
+"Children," said Mrs. Warren, "do you know what time it is? You must
+go to bed. Marilla you have betwitched us all. And papa will have
+hardly time to read his paper. Come. Marilla will not run away, so you
+can have her tomorrow night."
+
+Mr. Warren kissed all the little girls and they trooped off.
+
+"You may sleep on the lounge in my room, Edith, and give Marilla your
+bed, I can't send her up stairs alone, and now you must not say a word
+after your prayers for I know she is clear tired out."
+
+They were generally very good children to mind. Their mother left them
+with a good-night kiss. Mr. Warren had rolled his chair nearer the
+center table and taken up his paper.
+
+"Mother," he exclaimed, "that Marilla is an unusual child. How
+beautifully she describes everything, but the sweetest trait about her
+is her utter lack of bitterness. Most children would have been sharp
+and disparaging about Mrs. Johnson, but she never uttered a bitter
+word. It really was wonderful. I hope that Dr. Richards will give her
+a first-class education, and I'd like to see that fairy godmother.
+Marilla needs good care, she isn't very strong, but there is happiness
+in every pulse of her small body. I wish we could keep her."
+
+The next morning the children had to kiss her half a dozen times
+before they went to school, and make her promise over and over again
+that she would not let Dr. Richards take her home. While Mrs. Warren
+was doing up her morning's work Marilla wrote her letter to Miss
+Armitage, who smiled over the thrill of delight that ran through it.
+Aunt Grace was so sweet and lovely and she couldn't describe the girls
+for she didn't know any words that were beautiful enough and good
+enough to apply to them. Jessie was a real little beauty with the most
+wonderful eyes that were like brown velvet and sunshine, and she
+didn't know father's could be so sweet as Uncle Warren. Maybe Mr.
+Borden would love the twins that way when they grew older. They might
+be prettier then. But her dear fairy godmother lived in her mind all
+the time, she wanted her to see and hear everything. There would be so
+much to tell her that she couldn't write.
+
+It was a wonderful day to Marilla. Such splendid stores and gowns that
+were fit for queens. Such beautiful dishes and jewelry, such stacks of
+books; and, oh, such dolls holding out their hands with a pleading
+look in their eyes. She could hardly tear herself away. Was she too
+big to have a doll?
+
+Then they went into a cozy place and had a dainty lunch, only it did
+seem as if Marilla was too happy to eat. If fairy godmother were only
+here!
+
+Afterward they went to the Eden Musee. You had to ride from place to
+place; why, it was full of strange people who never stirred. They
+could not be dead! What _was_ the matter with them? The wonder in her
+eyes made Mrs. Warren smile. Some were funny, too; you wanted to laugh
+with them. Marilla sat down in perfect despair as if she had gone to
+some strange country.
+
+"I don't see how they can make them just like folks," she said. "You
+feel almost sure they are going to speak to you."
+
+A very tired little girl it was who came home, but it was such a
+pleasant, happy tired she didn't mind. It wasn't like dragging the
+heavy babies around. Aunt Grace made her lie down on the lounge and
+the girls gathered round her talking it over. They had been several
+times.
+
+Then Dr. Richards came in and they had such a delightful time. Why the
+whole world of pleasure was fairy land when you come to think of it.
+"And there's the Hippodrome," said Edith. "Oh mother don't you believe
+father could take us on Saturday?"
+
+"And couldn't I go, too?"
+
+The doctor asked in such a whimsical tone that they all laughed.
+Jessie sidled up to him, she was well so she need not be afraid of a
+doctor. She was very sweet but she wasn't quite Cinderella.
+
+What a fine evening they had! It seemed as if they must have known
+each other for years. Bits of Marilla's life came out unconsciously;
+the doing for others without thinking of herself that really did
+glorify it. Unwittingly she showed more of it to Dr. Richards than she
+had ever before in her gratitude. Under the children's questions some
+of the trials came out.
+
+Every morning she wrote to Miss Armitage out of her full heart, and
+the lady understood how she would thrive in natural companionship.
+Almost she felt as if she ought to yield her to these relatives, but
+she wanted her. It was strange how she had left her impress everywhere
+yet she was a very modest little girl, demanding nothing, taking all
+favors with a gratitude that was fascinating. Jane rehearsed so many
+pretty sayings and missed her everywhere. Bridget came around to hear
+whether the story of the fortune was absolutely true. The Bordens
+could hardly believe it. Mr. John Borden wished they had not let her
+go quite so soon. "She certainly was a nice child," he said.
+
+They went to the great stores and to Central Park, and Marilla
+overflowed with happiness. Why it was like the fairy dream, and she
+wished the girls at the Home could have some of it, or could find a
+fairy godmother. There were so many things to interest the doctor. How
+the days did slip away and all the time Marilla grew sweeter, dearer;
+but at last he said they _must_ go home.
+
+"Oh, how can we let you go?" cried Edith. "Why I do believe you came
+from fairy land yourself; but now you'll come and visit us often."
+
+"And you can come to Newton. Fairy godmother has such a lovely house,
+and she is so sweet. You will like her."
+
+Oh, the child ought not be on sufferance but have the genial freedom
+of a home of her very own where she could live over the childhood she
+had missed and learn the glad inspiration of youth.
+
+What did Miss Armitage mean to do for her? Yes, she wanted her; why
+there would be a great loss in life without her, but she no longer
+needed charity. She could not do everything for her; as she had
+planned. Would she share a divided interest?
+
+Dr. Richards heart yearned over her, coveted her. Marilla had crept in
+and taken possession of his inmost soul. It was not likely there would
+be any other occupant. For he had never seen any sign of relenting on
+Miss Armitage's part. They were excellent friends. Neither overstepped
+the prescribed bounds, and he must have something to love and to
+cherish.
+
+But he had to tear himself away presently, and he carried her with
+him in his heart, and the next morning he dropped in and had her all
+to himself. Mrs. Warren had gone to the dressmakers.
+
+"Oh," Marilla said with a long sigh of delight, "how lovely it is to
+have sisters! and--and a father! If I couldn't have but one I think
+I'd take the father. Isn't Mr. Warren just splendid and sweet and
+charming? There's a book of poems at Miss Armitage's that has one such
+beautiful thing--'The Children's Hour.' And they have it here. The
+hour after dinner if there are no visitors belongs to the children.
+The smaller ones take possession of his lap and Edith sits on the arm
+of the chair. I sat on the other," and she laughed with such a happy
+sound. "And they tell him everything, what they have read and studied,
+and the little troubles and differences and perplexities, and he
+listens and explains and laughs with them when it is funny, and
+everything is so nice. I didn't suppose fathers could be so dear and
+sweet, but I never knew any real father except Mr. Borden, and Jack
+was a torment. He wanted to pound and bang and wrinkle up things and
+ask silly questions. Maybe the twins will be different, and perhaps
+he will love girls the best."
+
+"And you would like to have a father?" There was a subtle sweetness in
+his tone.
+
+She drew a long breath, he felt the heart quiver irregularly, the
+little heart that would need careful watching the next few years, that
+so far had been worked pretty hard.
+
+"Oh, so much!" There was an exquisite longing and a sound as of a
+prayer, "but you know I'd want some one I could love."
+
+She was ready to give, not take all.
+
+"Marilla, would I do?"
+
+She raised her head and looked at him out of longing, pleading eyes
+that turned joyous like a sudden glowing sunrise.
+
+"Oh!" she cried, "Oh!"
+
+But the wonderful satisfying intonation would have moved any heart.
+
+"And I want a little girl," he continued. "I shall never have one of
+my very own;"--it is the way a man thinks when he knows he cannot have
+the woman he would choose for the mother of his children.
+
+She was silent. He saw the shining tears beading the curly lashes. She
+was sorry for him.
+
+"And if you could be _my_ little girl--"
+
+"Oh, if I might!" and the longing freighted her tone. "If I could be
+good enough--if I could love you enough. Oh, I _would_ try. I should
+be so happy. To have a father of one's own!"
+
+"Children are sometimes adopted."
+
+"Yes, they were at Bethany Home, but they had to be very pretty, I'm
+not--very."
+
+"But I love you because you are _you_, I don't want you changed any
+way. I want a daughter to be a companion as I grow older, to read to
+me, to confide in me, to come to me in any trouble, to make a real
+home, for a man alone cannot do that, and to love me very, very
+dearly."
+
+"I have always loved you," she said simply. Then after a
+moment--"would I live with you?"
+
+"Yes, when I have found a pretty home, and you will make friends and
+have them visit you, and we will take journeys and have pleasures like
+the Warrens."
+
+"Oh! How good you are!" in a tone of tremulous joy. There was a little
+twinge of conscience in both hearts concerning Miss Armitage. He
+salved his, thinking if she had wanted to she might have made some
+proffer of adoption. Marilla hardly knew how to choose between them.
+If they could both go and live in Loraine place!
+
+"I'll see Lorimer this afternoon. You have to apply to the
+legislature, and you will have your name changed to Richards. Maybe
+the judge or some will one question you whether you are willing to
+take me for a father, since you are old enough to choose, and there
+are several formalities, but the thing is often done, and you will be
+mine, mine," pressing her to his heart in rapture.
+
+"I am so glad." Every pulse throbbed with joy.
+
+He yielded to the subtle satisfaction and kissed the sweet mouth. Oh,
+he must get her strong and well and give her a lovely, long life! Like
+a vision he could see her growing sweeter and dearer every year,
+making life blossom with her love.
+
+Then Mrs. Warren returned and the girls came home to lunch, having a
+merry time talking over the Hippodrome.
+
+"Nearly every Saturday papa takes us somewhere," said May. "There are
+some beautiful plays for children and concerts and all summer the park
+is splendid, though you can always go inside and there is so much to
+see; and an automobile ride! Oh, I wish you were going to live here!"
+
+There were so many pleasures to give his little girl. It made his
+heart beat with joy to think he was going to have one. Life had seemed
+a bit lonely as he glanced down the years. It would never be lonely
+now. He would take such pleasure in making her happy.
+
+"Yes," he went on. "I'll get a pretty home and we will always be
+together."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE REAL FAIRYLAND
+
+
+That evening the two cousins on the Warren side came in, Isabel and
+Willis Firth. Isabel was just the age of Edith and Willis, older. The
+children gave up their hour cheerfully. There was so much to talk
+about, and the school was going to have an entertainment--"The Dance
+of All Nations."
+
+"I suppose not quite _all_," said Isabel, "though the boys are to give
+an Indian dance in costume, and the Dutch dance is in clogs, and oh,
+you can't imagine how funny and clumpy it sounds, but it is real
+pretty with the aprons and the caps, but the Spanish is beautiful with
+castanets. You must all come. Is your friend staying long?"
+
+"I think"--rather hesitatingly, "we will go home next week."
+
+"Oh, that will be too bad, and the dance is to be two weeks from
+tomorrow, in the afternoon, in a hall. It will be splendid!"
+
+"I suppose this is the little cousin who came after the fortune,"
+said Willis, "isn't it nice to have a fortune left to you?"
+
+"I hardly know"--hesitatingly.
+
+"Oh my! I'd know quick enough," laughed the boy. "Isabel wouldn't it
+be fine enough to have ten or twelve thousand left to us? I'd be sure
+of going to college."
+
+"The University ought to be good enough for city boys," said Uncle
+Warren.
+
+They played authors for a while "because they could talk" Willis said.
+Then Aunt Warren played for them to dance. At first Marilla
+hesitated.
+
+"Oh, it's only three-step" exclaimed Edith. "I'll show you, and if you
+danced at the King's ball----"
+
+She found she could dance easy enough. It was quite delightful. Her
+eyes were bright, her cheeks like roses.
+
+Then they tried several other pretty dances, and spiced them with much
+laughter. Oh, how gay they were.
+
+"Who was it said something about the King's ball?" asked Willis. "Was
+it a make believe?"
+
+"Oh it is the prettiest thing!" replied Edith.
+
+"You see, Cousin Marilla sat alone in the kitchen one night when the
+maid had gone out and a fairy godmother came and asked her if she
+didn't want to go to the ball. Finding her in the kitchen you see she
+took her for Cinderella, and she touched her with her wand--now
+Marilla, go on, I couldn't tell it half as delightfully as you do; you
+make it so real."
+
+Manila's face had been scarlet at first, for she was almost ashamed of
+being a little bound-out girl before these newcomers, but Edith had
+started it so beautifully that she smiled at her audience.
+
+"Let's sit on the floor," said Willis. "That's the way they do in
+Persia, and Aunt Grace never finds fault with us."
+
+They gathered around the little girl. Even Uncle Warren laid down his
+paper and joined the circle. And what an attentive audience!
+
+"Well that's just fine!" ejaculated Willis. "I've never seen just such
+a Cinderella, and there wasn't any glass slipper?"
+
+"Don't interrupt," said his sister.
+
+It was all so vivid and Marilla made such pretty gestures with her
+hands and swayed her head to and fro, that they could fairly see the
+palace, and the banquet was superb with its lights and flowers and
+beautiful adornments.
+
+"And couldn't they dance but just one evening with the Prince? That
+was rather tough."
+
+"But there was so many knights and the Cinderellas seemed just as
+happy. No one was cross."
+
+"Well, that was wonderful! Oh, didn't you hate to wake up?"
+
+"I don't believe I did really wake up, and every night for awhile I
+seemed dreaming it over, and I can shut my eyes and see it so plainly.
+When things didn't go quite right it was such a pleasure."
+
+"Oh, you're a darling!" cried Isabel. "I just wish the kindergarten
+children could hear it told that way. If you were a grown-up girl
+they'd pay you for telling stories."
+
+"Aunt Grace can't you bring her around and let mother hear that?"
+asked Willis. "My mother is so fat she hates to go out anywhere," to
+Marilla. "She thinks it disgraceful! But she's a sweet mother for all
+that; and now we must go home. Thank you a hundred times for the
+story. When I have my party I shall send for you and dance with you
+every other time. You ought to be named Cinderella."
+
+She looked so bright and happy and promised to visit them if Dr.
+Richards did not take her home too soon.
+
+But the Hippodrome was beyond any dream. Sometimes she held her breath
+with delight until she was fairly tired. Dr. Richards watched the
+sweet, changeful face. Yes, she should be all his--why he had never
+dreamed of anything half as sweet as the joy of a father.
+
+Sunday afternoon he and Mr. Lorimer came in. The girls had gone to
+Sunday School. He laid his plan before the Warrens who were a good
+deal surprised.
+
+"As a man grows older he begins to think of a home and the joys
+nothing else offers, and a doctor really needs the comfort, the
+satisfaction nothing else can give. I've never had a home though I've
+dreamed of one, but there must be another person in it. I'm not of the
+hermit sort. I want some one to be merry with me and to comfort me
+when the skies are dark and lowering."
+
+"Oh, Dr. Richards, you should marry," exclaimed Mrs. Warren,
+impetuously.
+
+"I've been so engrossed--and this sort of vision has come to my very
+door as it were, and I have let it in. For a few years Marilla will
+need watchful care from some one who can understand the weak points. I
+should get a nice, motherly woman who would be sweet and tender to
+her, companionable as well. For you see she must go to some one for a
+home."
+
+"And we would gladly take her in here," said Mrs. Warren. "She has
+really won our hearts."
+
+He would do Miss Armitage full justice, at least he thought it so
+then. He related her kindness, her generosity, but she had been tender
+and sympathetic to many another child he remembered, yet he could not
+quite still the one cry he had heard from her.
+
+"Thank you most sincerely," he returned. "I am glad she has found some
+relatives who have taken her in in this cordial manner. I want her to
+remain warm friends with you all. Of course until I was settled to my
+liking her home would be with Miss Armitage and she could come
+whenever you would like to have her. A young girl needs friends of her
+own kind, whose interests and hopes are similar."
+
+They discussed the matter from more than one point of view. At first
+Lorimer had tried to banter him out of the plan, insisting that the
+guardianship would be sufficient. There was something in his earnest
+desire that touched the heart of the man of wide experience. He
+wondered why he could not be as persistent to win the lady! Perhaps
+she would follow the child.
+
+She came in radiant and full of joy. It was such a splendid Sunday
+School. She could enjoy it thoroughly with no bothering Jack to think
+about.
+
+Lorimer made his adieu but the doctor remained. They sang in the
+evening. She caught any tune so readily, and a little bird of joy kept
+time in her heart. She had only to glance up in the doctor's eyes to
+know there was a kindred delight in his.
+
+She spent most of the next morning writing to fairy godmother. There
+was so much to say, for everything was so new, so different from her
+life hitherto. Oh, she was so glad she did not have to go back to
+that! No one had been really unkind or severe with her and she could
+recall some tenderness at the last on Aunt Hetty's part, but the death
+always made her shudder.
+
+These days of affliction had been so sweet, so engrossing. She had not
+dared to love Miss Armitage in this fashion in the beginning. She
+loved her deeply, truly, now, and her heart smote her in spite of the
+thrill of joy when she thought of Dr. Richard's love, of belonging to
+him. Would she leave her for the new love? She had not the courage to
+mention it, but there were so many other things to say.
+
+Every day brought something new. They went to the wonderful museum.
+She could not take in half, but Dr. Richards said no one could. You
+came time and again, all your life, and always found something new.
+And there were the Historical Society rooms with their marvellous
+collection of birds that enchanted her.
+
+They spent a delightful evening at the Firths, though she decided she
+liked Uncle Warren the better. The Firth house was very handsomely
+appointed, but it did not have so much the air of home where you
+could sit on the arm of the chair and say all manner of childish
+things.
+
+Mrs. Firth was very stout, but she had a really pretty face and a
+voice that won you with a certain caressing mellowness. Both cheeks
+had a deep dimple and a crease went from one to the other that seemed
+to define the first chin. She sat in a high backed chair and Marilla
+thought she looked like a princess, and her gown made the child think
+of the beautiful dresses in the fairy place.
+
+But on Friday Dr. Richards said they _must_ go back to Newton. They
+would come again however, there was still a little business to settle.
+It was a sad parting, and when Marilla took her seat in the train she
+turned her face to the window and surreptitiously wiped away the
+tears, though she longed to see fairy godmother.
+
+The hack whirled them to Loraine place. The great trees stood like
+sentinels stretching out their bare limbs. The beautiful autumn, had
+gone, you noted it more here. Up the stoop--how her heart beat, and
+yet somehow she seemed as if she had lived another lifetime.
+
+"Oh dear, dear Marilla," cried Jane with the warmest embrace. "We have
+missed you so much, and are so glad to get you back. Why it hasn't
+seemed the same house, and everybody has wanted you. Dr. Richards,
+that Mrs. McCormick died this morning and Miss Armitage was there
+until noon. Five little children left, think of it, she came home and
+went straight to bed, but she's had a cup of tea and will be down in a
+few minutes."
+
+They entered the parlor. Marilla took off her hat and coat, it was so
+warm indoors. She had on a new frock, a curious blue that was very
+becoming. Her cheeks were a lovely pink, her eyes full of expectancy.
+
+Miss Armitage came down the back stairway and through the library.
+Marilla gave one cry and was in her arms.
+
+No one had won her away, then. During these days she had had many
+thoughts about the child's future. She had felt jealous of the new
+found relatives and their love, of Dr. Richards' devotion, of the
+happy times when she had been counted out. Work had failed to inspire,
+evenings had been lonely, dreary. Oh, she would never let her go away
+again unless she went with her. She would beseech the law to make the
+child hers--
+
+"Oh, fairy godmother!" The charming, joyous tone that showed the
+child's certainty of a warm welcome. "It has all been so lovely, but I
+wanted you so. I wanted you to see the girls and their father who is
+the loveliest, no not _quite_ the loveliest," and her eyes shone with
+a tender radiance, the flush made her beautiful. "For, fairy
+godmother, I have a father now who will love me and care for me, and I
+am filled to the brim with happiness--it is better than the fortune. I
+could hardly wait to tell you. Oh, please be glad for my sake."
+
+"A father?" she repeated, in a breathless tremulous sort of way.
+
+"Yes," said Dr. Richards, and there was a strange sort of assurance in
+his tone. He seemed to have changed mysteriously--there is a vigor, a
+power and withal a sweet satisfaction in his face that gives her a
+pang she does not understand.
+
+"Yes," he repeated. "The fortune is all right. I have been made her
+guardian, but that did not satisfy me. I have taken out papers of
+adoption, she is my child, my little little daughter and she has a
+new, legal, lawful name--Marilla Cinderella Richards."
+
+"Oh, oh!" The pathetic cry unnerved him.
+
+"Dear fairy godmother it can't make any difference in my love for you.
+I loved you first, you know. I shall always love you, but I want us to
+live together and be as happy as they are at the Warrens, and I love
+him, my new father, so much. When you have something of your very own
+it fills you everywhere like beautiful music. I've been learning how
+sweet and dear it can be. Oh, fairy godmother, I want you both. It
+would break my heart to lose either of you. Oh, fairy godmother, can't
+you love him; can't you, won't you marry him and let us all live
+together?"
+
+There was a penetrating sweetness in the pleading, but she saw the red
+of surprise mount to the very edge of the man's hair, and almost a
+frown settle between the eyes. Her face dropped to the silken soft
+head and she felt the child's heart beat tumultuously. To make the two
+who loved her happy--to have them for her own----
+
+She reached out her hand--it was her right hand. He caught it and
+pressed it to his lips with a fervor that thrilled every pulse of her
+being.
+
+It was not the tie of kindred blood, but that divine immortal kindred
+of love, and as he clasped his arms about them both they were Father,
+Mother and Child.
+
+And so, Marilla had not only the Fairy Godmother, but the Prince as
+well.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's A Modern Cinderella, by Amanda M. Douglas
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A MODERN CINDERELLA ***
+
+***** This file should be named 28441.txt or 28441.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/4/4/28441/
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Canada Team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.