LITTLE BUTTON-ROSE
"If you please, I've come," said a small girl, as she walked into alarge room where three ladies sat at work.
One of the ladies was very thin, one very stout, and the youngestvery pretty. The eldest put on her glasses, the stout one droppedher sewing, and the pretty one exclaimed,--
"Why, it must be little Rosamond!"
"Yes, I've come; the man is taking my trunk upstairs, and I've got aletter for Cousin Penelope," said the child, with the sweetcomposure of one always sure of a welcome.
The stout lady held out her hand for the letter; but the littlegirl, after a keen look at the three faces, went to the old lady,who received her with a kiss, saying,--
"That's right; but how did you know, dear?"
"Oh, Papa said Cousin Penny is old, Cousin Henny fat, and CousinCicely rather pretty; so I knew in one minute," replied Rosamond, ina tone of innocent satisfaction at her own cleverness, and quiteunconscious of the effect of her speech.
Miss Penelope hastily retired behind the letter. Miss Henriettafrowned so heavily that the gold-rimmed eye-glasses flew off hernose with a clash, and Cicely laughed outright, as she exclaimed,--
"I'm afraid we have got an enfant terrible among us, though I can'tcomplain of my share of the compliments."
"I never expected to find Clara's child well mannered, and I see Iwas quite right. Take your hat off, Rosamond, and sit down. It tiresSister to lean on her in that way," said Miss Henny in a severetone, with no offer of any warmer welcome.
Seeing that something was amiss, the child quietly obeyed, andperching herself in an ancient arm-chair crossed her short legs,folded her plump hands over the diminutive travelling-bag shecarried, and sat looking about the room with a pair of very largeblue eyes, quite unabashed, though rather pensive, as if the memoryof some tender parting were still fresh in her little heart.
While Miss Penny slowly reads the letter, Miss Henny works daisieson a bit of canvas with pettish jerks of her silk, and Miss Cicelyleans in the sofa-corner, staring at the newcomer, we will brieflyintroduce our small heroine. Her father was cousin to the elderladies, and being called suddenly across the water on business, tookhis wife with him, leaving the little girl to the care of theserelatives, thinking her too young for so long a journey. Cicely, anorphan niece who lived with the old ladies, was to have the care ofRosy; and a summer in the quiet country town would do her good,while change of scene would console her for this first separationfrom her mother. How she fared remains to be seen; and we need onlyadd that the child had been well trained, made the companion of asweet and tender woman, and was very anxious to please the parentswhom she passionately loved, by keeping the promises she had madethem, and being "as brave as Papa, as patient and kind as dearMamma."
"Well, what do you think of it, Missy?" asked Cicely, as the blueeyes came back to her, after roving round the spacious,old-fashioned, and rather gloomy room.
"It's a pretty large, dark place for a little girl to be all alonein;" and there was a suspicious quiver in the childish voice, asRosy opened her bag to produce a very small handkerchief, evidentlyfeeling that she might have sudden need of it if some one did notspeak to her very soon.
"We keep it dark on account of Sister's eyes. When _I_ was a littlegirl, it wasn't considered polite to say rude things about otherpeople's houses, especially if they were very handsome ones," saidMiss Henny, with a stern glance over the eye-glasses at the youngoffender, whose second remark was even more unfortunate than herfirst.
"I didn't mean to be rude, but I MUST tell the truth. Little girlslike bright places. I'm sorry about Cousin Penny's eyes. I will readto her; I do to Mamma, and she says it is very well for a child onlyeight years old."
The gentle answer and the full eyes seemed to calm Miss Henny'swrath, for her size was her tender point, and the old house herespecial pride; so she dropped the awe-inspiring glasses, and saidmore kindly,--
"There is a nice little room ready for you upstairs, and a garden toplay in. Cicely will hear you read every day, and I will teach youto sew, for of course that MOST useful part of your education hasbeen neglected."
"No, ma'am, I sew my four patches every day, and make little weestitches, and I can hem Papa's hank'chifs, and I was learning todarn his socks with a big needle when--when they went away."
Rosy paused with a sudden choke; but too proud to break down, sheonly wiped two drops off her cheek with the long ends of her littlegray silk glove, set her lips, and remained mistress of herself,privately planning to cry all she liked when she was safely in the"nice little room" promised her.
Cicely, though a lazy, selfish young lady, was touched by thechild's pathetic face, and said in a friendly tone, as she pattedthe couch where she lay,--
"Come here, dear, and sit by me, and tell me what kind of a kittenyou'd like best. I know of a sweet yellow one, and two grays. OurTabby is too old to play with you; so you will want a kitty, I'msure."
"Oh yes, if I may!" and Rosy skipped to the new seat with a smilewhich plainly proved that this sort of welcome was just what sheliked.
"Now, Cicely, why will you put such an idea into Rosamond's headwhen you know we can't have kittens round the house for Sister tostumble over, not to mention the mischief the horrid things alwaysdo? Tabby is all the child needs, with her doll. Of course you havea doll?" and Miss Henny asked the question as solemnly as if she hadsaid, "Have you a soul?"
"Oh yes, I have nine in my trunk, and two little ones in my bag, andMamma is going to send me a big, big one from London, as soon as shegets there, to sleep with me and be my little comfort," cried Rosy,rapidly producing from her bag a tiny bride and groom, threeseed-cakes, a smelling-bottle, and a purse out of which fell a shower ofbright cents, also crumbs all over the immaculate carpet.
"Mercy on us, what a mess! Pick it all up, child, and don't unpackany more in the parlor. One doll is quite enough for me," said MissHenny, with a sigh of resignation as if asking patience to bear thisnew calamity.
Rosy echoed the sigh as she crept about reclaiming her preciouspennies, and eating the crumbs as the only way of disposing of them.
"Never mind, it's only her way; the heat makes her a little cross,you see," whispered Cicely, bending down to hold the bag, into whichRosy bundled her treasures in hot haste.
"I thought fat people were always pleasant. I'm glad YOU ain't fat,"answered the little girl, in a tone which was perfectly audible.
What would have happened I tremble to think, if Miss Penny had notfinished the letter at that moment and handed it to her sister,saying as she held out her arms to the child,--
"Now I know all about it, and you are to be my baby; so come andgive me some sweet kisses, darling."
Down dropped the bag, and with a little sob of joy the child nestledclose to the kind old heart that welcomed her so tenderly at last.
"Papa calls me his button-rose, 'cause I'm so small and pink andsweet, and thorny too sometimes," she said, looking up brightly,after a few moments of the fond and foolish cuddling all littlecreatures love and need so much when they leave the nest, and missthe brooding of motherly wings.
"We'll call you anything you like, darling; but Rosamond is a prettyold name, and I'm fond of it, for it was your grandmamma's, and asweeter woman never lived," said Miss Penny, stroking the freshcheeks, where the tears shone like dew on pink rose-leaves.
"I shall call you Chicken Little, because we have Henny and Penny;and the girls and Tab downstairs can be Goosey-Loosey, Turkey-Lurkey,and Cocky-Locky. I'll be Ducky-Lucky, and I'm sure Foxy-Loxy livesnext door," said Cicely, laughing at her own wit, while Miss Hennylooked up, saying, with the first smile Rosy had seen,--
"That's true enough! and I hope Chicken Little will keep out of hisway, no matter if the sky does fall."
"Who is it? A truly fox? I never saw one. Could I peep at himsometimes?" cried the child, much interested at once.
"No, dear; it's only a neighbor of ours who has treated us badly, atleast we think so, an
d we don't speak, though we used to be goodfriends some years ago. It's sad to live so, but we don't quite seehow to help it yet. We are ready to do our part; but Mr. Dovershould take the first step, as he was in the wrong."
"Please tell about it. I have horrid quarrels with Mamie Parsonssometimes, but we always kiss and make up, and feel all happy again.Can't you, Cousin Penny?" asked the child, softly touching thelittle white curls under the lace cap.
"Well, no, dear; grown people cannot settle differences in thatpretty way. We must wait till he apologizes, and then we shallgladly be friends again. You see Mr. Dover was a missionary in Indiafor many years, and we were very intimate with his mother. Ourgardens join, and a gate in our fence led across their field to theback street, and was most convenient when we wanted to walk by theriver or send the maids on errands in a hurry. The old lady was veryneighborly, and we were quite comfortable till Thomas came home andmade trouble. He'd lost his wife and children, poor man, and hisliver was out of order, and living among the heathen so long hadmade him melancholy and queer; so he tried to amuse himself withgardening and keeping hens."
"I'm glad! I love flowers and biddies," murmured Rosy, listeningwith deep interest to this delightful mixture of quarrels andheathen, sorrow, poultry, mysterious diseases, and gardens.
"He had no right to shut up our gate and forbid our crossing thatlittle field, and no GENTLEMAN would have DARED to do it after allour kindness to his mother," exclaimed Miss Henny, so suddenly andviolently that Rosamond nearly fell off the old lady's lap with thestart she gave.
"No, sister, I don't agree there. Mr. Thomas had a perfect RIGHT todo as he liked with his own land; but I think we should have had notrouble if you had been willing to sell him the corner of our gardenwhere the old summer-house is, for his hens," began Miss Penny in amild tone.
"Sister! you know the tender memories connected with that bower, andhow terrible it would have been to ME to see it torn down, and noisyfowls clucking and pecking where I and my poor Calvin once sattogether," cried Miss Henny, trying to look sentimental, which wasan impossible feat for a stout lady in a flowery muslin gown, and afly-away cap full of blue ribbons, on a head once flaxen and nowgray.
"We won't discuss the point, Henrietta," said the elder lady withdignity; whereupon the other returned to the letter, bridling andtossing her head in a way which caused Rosy to stare, and resolve toimitate it when she played being a proud princess with her dolls.
"Well, dear, that was the beginning of the trouble," continued MissPenny; "and now we don't speak, and the old lady misses us, I'msure, and I often long to run in and see her, and I'm so sorry youcan't enjoy the wonders of that house, for it's full of beautifuland curious things, most instructive for children to observe. Mr.Thomas has been a great traveller, and has a tiger skin in theparlor so natural it's quite startling to behold; also spears, andbows and arrows, and necklaces of shark's teeth, from the CannibalIslands, and the loveliest stuffed birds, my dear, all over theplace, and pretty shells and baskets, and ivory toys, and odddresses, and no end of wonderful treasures. Such a sad pity youcan't see them!" and Miss Penny looked quite distressed at thechild's loss.
"Oh, but I guess I will see 'em! Every one is good to me, and oldgentlemen like little girls. Papa says so, and HE always does what Iwant when I say 'Please' with my wheedulin smile, as he calls it,"said Rosy, giving them a sample of the most engaging sort.
"You funny little thing, do try it, and soften the heart of thattiresome man! He has the finest roses in town and the most deliciousfruit, and we never get any, though he sends quantities everywhereelse. Such a fuss over an old ear-wiggy arbor! It is perfectlyprovoking, when we might enjoy so much over there; and who knowswhat might happen!"
As Cicely spoke, she smoothed her brown curls and glanced at themirror, quite conscious that a very pretty young lady of twenty waswasting her sweetness in the great gloomy house, with two elderlyspinsters.
"I'll get some for you," answered Rosy, with a nod of such calmconviction of her own power, that Cicely laughed again, and proposedthat she should go at once and view the battle-field.
"Could I RUN in the garden? I'd love to, after riding so long,"asked Rosy, eager to be off; for her active legs ached for exercise,and the close, shady room oppressed her.
"Yes, dear; but don't get into mischief, or worry Tabby, or pick theflowers. Of course you wouldn't touch green fruit, or climb trees,or soil your little frock. I'll ring the bell for you to come in andbe dressed for tea when it is time."
With these directions and a kiss, Miss Penny, as Cicely did notstir, let the child out at the back door of the long hall, andwatched her walk demurely down the main path of the prim old garden,where no child had played for years, and even the toads and fatrobins behaved in the most decorous manner.
"It's pretty dull, but it's better than the parlor with all thestaring pictures," said Rosy to herself, after a voyage of discoveryhad shown her the few charms of the place. The sight of a largeyellow cat reposing in the sun cheered her eyes at that moment, andshe hastened to scrape acquaintance with the stately animal; for thesnails were not social, and the toads stared even more fixedly ather than the painted eyes of her respected ancestors.
But Tabby disliked children as much as her mistress, and aftersubmitting ungraciously to a few caresses from the eager littlehands, she rose and retired majestically to a safer perch on the topof the high wall which enclosed the garden. Being too lazy to jump,she walked up the shelves of an old flower-stand moulding in acorner, and by so doing, gave Rosy a brilliant idea, which she atonce put into action by following Tabby's example. Up this new sortof ladder she went, and peeped over the wall, delighted at thisunexpected chance to behold the enemy's territory.
"Oh, what a pretty place!" she cried, clasping her grubby littlehands with rapture, as the beauties of the forbidden land burst uponher view.
It was indeed a paradise to a child's eyes,--for flowers bloomedalong the winding paths; ripening fruit lay rosy and tempting in thebeds below; behind the wire walls that confined them clucked andstrutted various sorts of poultry; cages of gay birds hung on thepiazza; and through the open windows of the house one caughtglimpses of curious curtains, bright weapons, and mysterious objectsin the rooms beyond.
A gray-headed gentleman in a queer nankeen coat lay asleep on abamboo lounge under the great cherry-tree, with a purple silkhandkerchief half over his face.
"That's the missionary man, I s'pose. He doesn't look cross at all.If I could only get down there, I'd go and wake him with a softlykiss, as I do Papa, and ask to see his pretty things."
Being quite unconscious of fear, Rosy certainly would have carriedout her daring plan, had it been possible; but no way of descendingon the other side appeared, so she sighed and sat gazing wistfully,till Cousin Henny appeared for a breath of fresh air, and orderedher down at once.
"Come and see if my balsam-seeds have started yet. I keep plantingthem, but they WON'T come up," she said, pointing out a mound ofearth newly dug and watered.
Rosy obediently scrambled up, and was trying to decide whether somegreen sprouts were chickweed or the dilatory balsams when a suddenuproar in the next garden made her stop to listen, while Miss Hennysaid in a tone of great satisfaction, as the cackle of hens arose,--
"Some trouble with those horrid fowls of his. I detest them, crowingin the night, and waking us at dawn with their noise. I wish somethief would steal every one of them. Nobody has a right to annoytheir neighbors with troublesome pets."
Before Rosy could describe the beauties of the white bantams or thesize of the big golden cock, a loud voice cried,--
"You rascal! I'll hang you if I catch you here again. Go homequicker than you came, and tell your mistress to teach you bettermanners, if she values your life."
"It's that man! Such language! I wonder who he's caught? That badboy who steals our plums, perhaps."
The words were hardly out of Miss Henny's mouth when her questionwas answered in a sudden and dreadful way; f
or over the wall, hurledby a strong arm, flew Tabby, high in the air, to fall with a thumpdirectly in the middle of the bed where they stood. Miss Hennyuttered a shrill scream, caught up her stunned treasure, and rushedinto the house as fast as her size and flounces permitted, leavingRosy breathless with surprise and indignation.
Burning to resent this terrible outrage, she climbed quickly up thesteps, and astonished the irate old gentleman on the other side bythe sudden apparition of a golden head, a red childish face, and adirty little finger pointed sternly at him, as this small avengingangel demanded,--
"Missionary man, how COULD you kill my cousin's cat?"
"Bless my soul! who are you?" said the old gentleman, staring atthis unexpected actor on the field of battle.
"I'm Button-Rose, and I hate cruel people! Tabby's dead, and nowthere isn't any one to play with over here."
This sad prospect made the blue eyes fill with sudden tears; and theapplication of the dirty fingers added streaks of mud to the redcheeks, which much damaged the appearance of the angel, thought itadded pathos to the child's reproach.
"Cats have nine lives, and Tabby's used to being chucked over thewall. I've done it several times, and it seems to agree with her,for she comes back to kill my chicks as bold as brass. See that!"and the old gentleman held up a downy dead chicken, as proof ofTabby's sin.
"Poor little chicky!" groaned Rosy, yearning to mourn over the deardeparted and bury it with tender care. "It WAS very naughty of Tab;but, sir, you know cats are made to catch things, and they can'thelp it."
"They will have to help it, or I'll drown the lot. This is a rarebreed, and I've but two left after all my trouble, thanks to thatrascal of yours! What are you going to do about it?" demanded Mr.Dover, in a tone that made Rosy feel as if she had committed themurder herself.
"I'll talk to Tabby and try to make her good, and I'll shut her upin the old rabbit-house over here; then I hope she will be sorry andnever do it any more," she said, in such a remorseful tone that theold gentleman relented at once, ashamed to afflict such a tenderlittle soul.
"Try it," he said, with a smile that made his yellow face pleasantall at once. Then, as if ready to change the subject, he asked,looking curiously at the little figure perched on the wall,--
"Where did you come from? Never saw any children over there before.They don't allow 'em."
Rosy introduced herself in a few words, and seeing that her newacquaintance seemed interested, she added with the wheedling smilePapa found so engaging,--
"It's pretty lonely here, I guess; so p'r'aps you'll let me peep atyour nice garden sometimes if it doesn't trouble you, sir?"
"Poor little soul! it must be desperately dull with those threetabbies," he said to himself, as he stroked the dead chicken in hishand, and watched the little face bent toward him.
"Peep as much as you like, child; or, better still, come over andrun about. _I_ like little girls," he added aloud, with a nod and awave of welcome.
"I told 'em I was sure you did! I'd love to come, but they wouldn'tlet me, I know. I'm so sorry about the fight. Couldn't you make itup, and be pleasant again?" asked Rosy, clasping her hands with abeseeching gesture as her bright face grew sad and seriousremembering the feud.
"So they've told you that nonsense already, have they? Niceneighbors THEY are," said the old gentleman, frowning as if illpleased at the news.
"I'm glad I know; p'r'aps I can be a peace-maker. Mamma says theyare good to have in families, and I'd like to be one if I could.Would you mind if I tried to peace-make a little, so I could comeover? I do want to see the red birds and the tiger skin awfully, ifyou please."
"What do you know about 'em?" asked the old gentleman, sitting downon a garden chair, as if he didn't mind continuing the chat withthis new neighbor.
Nearly tumbling off the wall in her earnestness, Rosy repeated allthat Cousin Penny had said; and something in the reasonable words,the flattering description of his treasures, and the sincere regretof the old lady seemed to have a good effect upon Mr. Dover, forwhen Rosy paused out of breath, he said in such an altered tone thatit was evident the peacemaking had already begun,--
"Miss Carey is a gentlewoman! I always thought so. You tell her,with my compliments, that I'd be glad to see you any time if she hasno objection. I'll put my step-ladder there, and you can come overinstead of the cat. But mind you don't meddle, or I might give you atoss like Tabby."
"I'm not afraid," laughed Rosy. "I'll go and ask right away, and Iwon't touch a thing, and I know you'll like me for a friend. Papasays I'm a dear little one. Thank you very much, sir. Good-by till Icome again;" and with a kiss of the hand, the yellow head sunk outof sight like the sun going down, leaving a sense of darkness behindwhen the beaming little face disappeared, though fresh stains ofgreen mould from the wall made it rather like the tattooedcountenances Mr. Dover used to see among his cannibal friends inAfrica.
He sat musing with the dead chicken in his hand, forgetful of time,till a ring of his own door-bell called him in to receive a notefrom Miss Penelope, thanking him for his invitation to littleRosamond, but declining it in the most polite and formal words.
"I expected it! Bless the silly old souls! why can't they bereasonable, and accept the olive branch when I offer it? I'll behanged if I do again! The fat one is at the bottom of this. Miss Penwould give in if that absurd Henrietta didn't hold her back. Well,I'm sorry for the child, but that's not my fault;" and throwing downthe note, he went out to water his roses.
For a week or two, Button-Rose hardly dared glance toward theforbidden spot from her window, as she was ordered to play in thefront garden, and sent to take sober walks with Cicely, who loved tostop and gossip with her friends, while the poor child waitedpatiently till the long tales were told.
Nursing Tabby was her chief consolation; and so kind was she, thatthe heart of the old cat softened to her, and she actually purredher thanks at last, for all the saucers of cream, bits of chicken,soft pats, and tender words bestowed upon her by the little girl.
"Well, I declare! Tab won't do that even for me," said Miss Henny,one day when she came upon the child sitting alone in the hall witha picture-book and the cat comfortably asleep in her lap.
"Ammals always love me, if people don't," answered Button-Rose,soberly; for she had not yet forgiven the stout lady for denying herthe delights offered by the "missionary man."
"That's because AN-I-MALS can't see how naughty you are sometimes,"said Miss Henny tartly, not having recovered her temper even aftermany days.
"I shall make EVERY one love me before I go away. Mamma told me to,and I shall. I know how;" and Button smiled with a wise little nodthat was pretty to see, as she proudly cuddled her first conquest.
"We shall see;" and Miss Henny ponderously departed, wondering whatodd fancy the little thing would take into her head next.
It was soon evident; for when she came down from her long nap, laterin the afternoon, Miss Henny found Rosamond reading aloud to hersister in the great dim parlor. They made a curious contrast,--thepale, white-haired, feeble old lady, with her prim dress, high cap,knitting, and shaded eyes; and the child, rosy and round, quaint andsweet, a pretty little ornament for the old-fashioned room, as shesat among the tea-poys and samplers, ancient china and furniture,with the portraits of great grandfathers and grandmothers simperingand staring at her, as if pleased and surprised to see such acharming little descendant among them.
"Bless the baby! what is she at now?" asked Miss Henny, feeling moreamiable after her sleep.
"I'm reading to Cousin Penny, 'cause no one else does, and her pooreyes hurt her, and she likes stories, and so do I," answered Button,with one chubby finger on the place in her book, and eyes full ofpride at the grown-up employment she had found for herself.
"So kind of the little dear! She found me alone and wanted to amuseme; so I proposed a story to suit us both, and she does very wellwith a little help now and then. I haven't read 'Simple Susan' foryears, and really enjoy it. Maria Edgeworth w
as always a favorite ofmine, and I still think her far superior to any modern writer forthe young," said Miss Penny, looking quite animated and happy in thenew entertainment provided for her.
"Go on, child; let me hear how well you can read;" and Miss Hennysettled herself in the sofa-corner with her embroidery.
So Button started bravely on, and tried so hard that she was soonout of breath. As she paused, she said with a gasp,--
"Isn't Susan a dear girl? She gives ALL the best things to otherpeople, and is kind to the old harper. She didn't send him away, asyou did the music-man to-day, and tell him to be still."
"Organs are a nuisance, and I never allow them here. Go on, anddon't criticise your elders, Rosamond."
"Mamma and I always talk over stories, and pick out the morals of'em. SHE likes it;" with which remark, made sweetly not pertly,Button went on to the end, with an occasional lift over a long word;and the old ladies were interested, in spite of themselves, in thesimple tale read in that childish voice.
"Thank you, dear, it is very nice, and we will have one every day.Now, what can I do for you?" asked Miss Penny, as the little girlpushed the curls off her forehead, with a sigh of mingled wearinessand satisfaction.
"Let me go in the back garden and peep through the knot-hole at thepretty roses. I do long to see if the moss ones are out, and thecherries ripe," said Rosy, clasping her hands imploringly.
"It can do no harm, Henrietta. Yes, dear, run away and get somecatnip for Tabby, and see if the balsams are up yet."
That last suggestion won Miss Henny's consent; and Button was off atonce, skipping like a young colt all over the garden, which nowseemed delightful to her.
At the back of the summer-house was a narrow space between it andthe fence where certain plump toads lived; peeping in to watch them,Rosy had spied a large knot-hole in the old boards, and through itfound she could get a fine view of several rose-bushes, a tree, andone window of the "missionary man's" house. She had longed foranother peep since the flower-stand was gone, and climbing treesforbidden; now with joy she slipped into the damp nook, regardlessof the speckled gentlemen who stared at her with dismay, and took agood look at the forbidden paradise beyond.
Yes, the "moss ones" were in bloom, the cherries quite red, and atthe window was the gray head of Mr. Dover, as he sat reading in hisqueer yellow dressing-gown.
Button yearned to get in, and leaned so hard against the hatefulfence that the rotten board cracked, a long bit fell out, and shenearly went after it, as it dropped upon the green bank below. Nowthe full splendor of the roses burst upon her, and a delightfulgooseberry bush stood close by with purplish berries temptinglybobbing within reach. This obliging bush hid the hole, but left fineopenings to see through; so the child popped her curly head out, andgazed delightedly at the chickens, the flowers, the fruit, and theunconscious old gentleman not far away.
"I'll have it for my secret; or maybe I'll tell Cousin Penny, andbeg her to let me peep if I truly promise never to go in," thoughtButton, knowing well who her best friend was.
At bedtime, when the dear old lady came to give the good-night kiss,which the others forgot, Rosy, as Miss Penny called her, made herrequest; and it was granted, for Miss Penny had a feeling that thelittle peacemaker would sooner or later heal the breach with herpretty magic, and so she was very ready to lend a hand in a quietway.
Next day at play-time, Button was hurrying down her last bit ofgingerbread, which she was obliged to eat properly in thedining-room, instead of enjoying out-of-doors, when she heard asudden flurry in the garden, and running to the window saw Roxy themaid chasing a chicken to and fro, while Miss Henny stood flappingher skirts on the steps, and crying, "Shoo!" till she was red in theface.
"It's the white banty, and it must have come in my hole! Oh dear, Ihope they won't catch it! Cousin Henny said she'd wring the neck ofthe first one that flied over the wall."
Away went Rosy, to join in the hunt; for Miss Henny was too fat torun, and Roxy found the lively fowl too much for her. It was a longand hard chase; feathers flew, the maid lost her breath, Rosytumbled down, and Miss Henny screamed and scolded till she wasforced to sit down and watch in silence.
At last poor, hunted Banty ran into the arbor, for its clipped wingswould not lift it over the wall. Button rushed after it, and dismalsqualls plainly proclaimed that the naughty chicken was caught.
Miss Henny waddled down the path, declaring that she WOULD wring itsneck; and Roxy went puffing after her, glad to rest. But the oldsummer-house was empty. No little girl, no ruffled bantam, appeared.Both had vanished like magic; and mistress and maid stared at eachother in amazement, till they saw that the long-disused window wasopen, and a gleam of light came in from the narrow opening behind.
"My patience! if that child hasn't crept out there, and boltedthrough that hole in the fence! Did you ever, Miss?" exclaimed Roxy,trying not to look pleased at being spared the distasteful task ofkilling the poor chicken.
"Naughty girl!" began Miss Henny, when the sound of voices made bothlisten. "Slip in there, and see what is going on," said themistress, well knowing that her stout person never could be squeezedinto the small space between house and fence.
Roxy, being thin, easily obeyed, and in a whisper telephoned whatwent on beyond the hole, causing Miss Henny much vexation, surprise,and at last real pleasure, as the child performed her little part inthe mission she had undertaken.
"Oh, please, it's all my fault! I kept the hole open, Mr. Thomas,and so Banty flied in. But it isn't hurt a bit, and I've brought ithome all safe, 'cause I know you love your chickies, and Tabby atelots of 'em," said the childish voice in its most conciliatory tone.
"Why didn't you fling it over the wall, as I did the cat?" asked Mr.Dover, smiling, as he shut up the truant fowl, and turned to look atthe rosy, breathless child, whose pink frock bore the marks of manya tumble on grass and gravel.
"It would hurt Banty's feelings, and yours too, and not be polite.So I came myself, to make some pollygies, and say it was my fault.But, please, could I keep the hole to peep through, if I always putup a board when I go away? It is so dull in there, and SO sweet inhere!"
"Don't you think a little gate would be nicer,--one just big enoughfor you, with a hook to fasten it? We'll call it a button-hole,"laughed Mr. Dover. "Then you could peep; or perhaps the ladies willthink better of it, and show that they pardon my ill treatment ofTabby by letting you come in and pick some cherries and roses nowand then."
This charming proposal caused the little girl to clasp her hands andcry aloud,--
"That would be perfully sp'endid! I know Cousin Penny would like it,and let me. P'r'aps she'd come herself; she's so thin, she could,and she loves your mother and wants to see her. Only, Cousin Hennywon't let us be nice and friendly. S'pose you send HER somecherries; she loves good things to eat, and maybe she will say yes,if you send lots."
Mr. Dover laughed at this artless proposal, and Miss Henny smiled atthe prospect of a gift of the luscious black-heart cherries she hadbeen longing for. Roxy wisely repeated only the agreeable parts ofthe conversation; so nothing ruffled the lady's temper. Now, whetherMr. Dover's sharp eye caught a glimpse of the face among thegooseberry bushes, and suspected eavesdroppers, or whether thechild's earnest desire to make peace touched him, who shall say?Certain it is that his eyes twinkled like a boy's, as he said ratherloudly, in his most affable tone,--
"I shall be most happy to send Miss Henrietta a basket of fruit. Sheused to be a charming young woman. It's a pity she shuts herself upso much; but that sad little romance of hers has darkened her life,I suppose. Ah, well, I can sympathize with her!"
Rosy stared at the sudden change in his manner, and was ratherbewildered by his grown-up way of talking to her. But being intenton securing something nice to carry home, she stuck to the cherries,which she DID understand, and pointing to the piazza said with abusiness-like air,--
"There's a basket; so we might pick 'em right away. I love to go upin trees and throw 'em down; and
I know Cousin Henny will likecherries ever so much, and not scold a bit when I take some to her."
"Then come on," cried Mr. Thomas, relapsing into the hearty mannershe liked so much; and away he went, quite briskly, down the path,with his yellow skirts waving in the wind, and Button skipping afterhim in great glee.
"They actually ARE a-picking cherries, Miss, up in the tree like acouple of robins a-chirpin' and laughin' as gay as can be," reportedRoxy, from her peep-hole.
"Rip off the rest of that board, then I can see," whispered MissHenny, quivering with interest now; for she had heard Mr. Dover'swords, and her wrath was appeased by that flattering allusion toherself.
Off came the rest of the board, and from the window, half hidden inwoodbine, she could now see over the bushes into the next garden.The peep-hole commanded the tree, and she watched with eager eyesthe filling of the basket to be sent her, planning the while acharming note of thanks.
"Do look, Miss; they are resting now, and she's on his knee. Ain'tit a pretty picter?" whispered Roxy, unmindful of the earwigs, ants,and daddy-long-legs promenading over her as she crouched in hermouldy corner, intent on the view beyond.
"Very pretty! He lost several children in India and I suppose Rosyreminds him of them. Ah, poor man! I can sympathize with him, for_I_ too have loved and lost," sighed Miss Henny, pensively surveyingthe group on the rustic seat.
They were playing cherry-bob; and the child's laughter made pleasantmusic in the usually quiet place, while the man's face lost its sad,stern look, and was both gay and tender, as he held the littlecreature close, and popped the ripe fruit into the red, laughingmouth.
As the last sweet morsel disappeared Rosy said, with a long breathof perfect content,--
"It's ALMOST as good as having Papa to play with. I do hope thecousins WILL let me come again! If they don't, I think my heart willbreak, 'cause I get so homesick over there, and have so many trials,and no one but Cousin Penny ever cuddles me."
"Bless her heart! We'll send her some flowers for that. You tell herthat Mrs. Dover is poorly, and would like very much to see her; andso would Mr. Thomas, who enjoys her little niece immensely. Can youremember that?"
"Every word! SHE is very nice to me, and I love her, and I guess shewill be glad to come. She likes MOSS-roses, and so do I," added theunblushing little beggar, as Mr. Dover took out his knife and beganto make the bouquet which was to be Miss Penny's bribe. He could notbear to give up his little playmate, and was quite ready to tryagain, with this persistent and charming ally to help him heal thebreach.
"Shall you send anything to Cis? You needn't mind about it, 'causeshe can't keep me at home, but it might please her, and make herstop rapping my head with her thimble when I ask questions, andslapping my fingers when I touch any of her pretty things,"suggested Button, as the flowers were added to the fruit, makinga fine display.
"I never send presents to YOUNG ladies," said Mr. Thomas shortly,adding, with both hands out, and his most inviting smile, "But IALWAYS kiss nice little girls if they will allow me?"
Button threw both arms about his neck and gave him a shower ofgrateful kisses, which were sweeter to the lonely old man than allthe cherries that ever grew, or the finest flowers in his garden.Then Miss Rosamond proudly marched home, finding no trace of thewatchers, for both had fled while the "cuddling" went on. Roxy wassoberly setting the dinner-table, and Miss Henny in the parlorbreathing hard behind a newspaper. Miss Penny and Cicely werespending the day out, so the roses had to wait; but the basket wasmost graciously received, also the carefully delivered message, andthe child's heart was rejoiced by free permission to go and see "ourkind neighbor now and then, if Sister does not object."
Rosy was in great spirits, and prattled away as they sat at dinner,emboldened by the lady's unusual amiability to ask all sorts ofquestions, some of which proved rather embarrassing to Miss Henny,and very amusing to Roxy, listening in the china-closet.
"I wish _I_ had 'spepsia," was the abrupt remark of the small personas her plate of drum-sticks was removed and the pudding appeared,accompanied by the cherries.
"Why, dear?" asked Miss Henny, busily arranging the small dish ofdelicate tidbits, which left little but the skeleton of the roastfowl for the kitchen.
"Then I could have the nicest bits of chicken, and heaps of sauce onmy pudding, and the butteryest slices of toast, and ALL the creamfor my tea, as you do. It isn't a VERY bad pain, is it?" asked Rosy,in such perfect good faith that Miss Henny's sudden flush and Roxy'shasty dive into the closet never suggested to her that this innocentspeech was bringing the old lady's besetting sin to light in themost open manner.
"Yes, child, it is VERY bad, and you may thank your stars that I tryto keep you from it by feeding you on plain food. At my age, andsuffering as I do, the best of everything is needed to keep up mystrength," said Miss Henny, tartly. But the largest plate ofpudding, with "heaps of sauce," went to the child this day, and whenthe fruit was served, an unusually small portion was put away forthe invalid, who was obliged to sustain nature with frequent lunchesthrough the day and evening.
"I'm s'prised that you suffer much, Cousin Henny. How brave you mustbe, not to cry about it, and go round in horrid pain, as you do, anddress so nicely, and see people, and work 'broidering, and makecalls! I hope I shall be brave if I ever DO have 'spepsia; but Iguess I shan't, you take such care to give me small pieces everytime."
With which cheerful remark Rosy closed that part of the conversationand returned to the delights of her new friend's garden. But fromthat day, among other changes which began about this time, thechild's cup and plate were well filled, and the dread of adding toher own sufferings seemed to curb the dyspeptic's voraciousappetite. "A cheild was amang them takin' notes," and every oneinvoluntarily dreaded those clear eyes and that frank tongue, soinnocently observing and criticising all that went on. Cicely hadalready been reminded of a neglected duty by Rosy's reading to MissPenny, and tried to be more faithful in that, as in other serviceswhich she owed the old lady. So the little missionary was evidentlygetting on, though quite unconscious of her work at home, soabsorbed was she in her foreign mission; for, like many anothermissionary, the savage over the way was more interesting than theselfish, slothful, or neglected souls at home.
Miss Penny was charmed with her flowers and the friendly messagesent her, and to Rosy's great delight went next day, in best bonnetand gown, to make a call upon the old lady "who was poorly," forthat appeal could not be resisted. Rosy also, in honor of the greatoccasion, wore HER best hat, and a white frock so stiff that shelooked like a little opera dancer as the long black legs skippedalong the street; for it was far too grand a visit to be paidthrough a hole in the wall.
In the basket were certain delicacies for the old lady, and a cardhad been prepared, with the names of Miss Carey and Miss RosamondCarey beautifully written on it by Cis, who was dying to go, butdared not after Rosy had told her Mr. Dover's remark about youngladies.
As the procession of two paused at the door, both the young and theold heart fluttered a little, for this was the first decided steptoward reconciliation, and any check might spoil it all. The maidstared, but civilly led these unexpected guests in and departed withthe card. Miss Penny settled herself in a large chair and lookedabout with pensive interest at the familiar room. But Rosy made abee-line for the great tiger-skin, and regardless of her cleanfrock lay down on it to examine the head, which glared at her withyellow eyes, showing all its sharp teeth in the most delightfullynatural manner.
Mr. Dover came in with a formal bow, but Miss Penny put out bothhands, and said in her sweet old voice,--
"Let us be friends again for the sake of your mother."
That settled the matter at once, and Mr. Thomas was so eager to dohis part that he not only shook the hands heartily, but kept them inhis as he said like an honest man,--
"My dear neighbor, I beg your pardon! _I_ was wrong, but I'm not tooproud to own it and say I'm glad to let by-gones be by-gones for thesake of all. Now come
and see my mother; she is longing for you."
What went on in the next room Rosy never knew or cared, for Mr.Thomas soon returned, and amused her so well, showing his treasures,that she forgot where she was till the maid came to say tea wasready.
"Are we going to stay?" cried the little girl, beaming from under aFeejee crown of feathers, which produced as comical an effect uponher curly head as did the collar of shark's teeth round her plumpneck or the great Japanese war-fan in her hand.
"Yes, we have tea at five; come and turn it out. I've ordered thelittle cups especially for you," said her host, as he changed thesmall Amazon to a pretty child again and led her away to preside atthe table, where the quaint china and silver, and the dainty cakeand bread and butter proved much more attractive than the little oldlady in a big cap who patted her head and smiled at her.
Never had Rosy enjoyed such a delicious meal; for the rapture ofpouring real tea out of a pot shaped like a silver melon, into cupsas thin as egg-shells, and putting in sugar with tongs like claws,not to mention much thick cream, also spicy, plummy cakes thatmelted in one's mouth, was too great for words.
The little maid was so absorbed in her new duties that she neverminded what the elders talked about, till the plates were empty, thepot ran dry, and no one could be prevailed on to have any more tea.Then she leaned back in her chair and remarked with an air of calmsatisfaction, as she looked from one to the other, and smiled thatengaging smile of hers,--
"Isn't being friends a great deal nicer than fighting and throwingcats over walls and calling bad names?"
It was impossible not to laugh, and that cheerful sound seemed totune every one to the sweetest harmony, while the little peacemakerwas passed round as if a last course of kisses was absolutelynecessary.
Then the party broke up, and Mr. Dover escorted his guests to theirown gate, to the great amazement of the neighbors and the veryvisible pride of Miss Button-Rose, who went up the walk with herhead as high as if the wreath of daisies on her little hat had beena conqueror's crown.
Now that the first step had been taken, all would have gone smoothlyif Cicely, offended because Mr. Thomas took no notice of HER, hadnot put it into Miss Henny's head that as the original quarrel beganbetween her and their neighbor, it would not be dignified to give intill Mr. Dover had come and begged pardon of HER as well as of MissPenny. This suited the foolish old lady, who never could forgetcertain plain words spoken in the heat of battle, though the kindlyones lately heard had much softened her heart toward the offender.
"No, I shall not forget my dignity nor humble myself by going overthere to apologize as Penelope has. SHE can do as she likes; and nowthat he has asked to be forgiven, there is perhaps no harm in HERseeing the old lady. But with me it is different. _I_ was insulted,and till Thomas Dover comes here and solemnly asks my pardon I willNOT cross his threshold, no matter what bribes he sends," said MissHenny, with an air of heroic firmness.
But it did cost her a pang when her sister went every now and thento take tea with the old lady and came home full of pleasant news;while Rosy prattled of the fine things she saw, the nice things shehad to eat, and never failed to bring some gift to share, or todisplay to the exiles from Paradise. They ate the "bribes," however,as they called the fruit, admired the pretty trinkets and toys, andlonged to share in the mild festivities of the pleasant house overthe way, but stood firm in spite of all Rosy's wiles, till somethingunexpected happened to touch their hearts, conquer their foolishpride, and crown the little peacemaker's efforts with success.
One August afternoon Cicely was discontentedly looking over hersmall store of ornaments as she made ready for a party. She lovedgayety, and went about a great deal, leaving many duties undone, orasking the little girl to attend to them for her, neglecting,however, to show any gratitude for these small services socheerfully done.
As she sat tossing over her boxes, Button-Rose came in lookingtired and listless, for it was a hot day, and she had been out twiceto do errands for Cicely, besides trotting busily up and down towait on the old ladies while the young one put fresh ribbons on herdress and curled her hair for the evening.
"Could I lie on your sofa, please, Cis? My head aches, and my legsare SO tired," said little Button, when her tap had been answered bya sharp "What do you want, child?"
"No, I'm going to lie there myself and have a nap as soon as I'mdone here. It's cooler than the bed, and I must be fresh forto-night," said Cicely, too intent on her own affairs to see howused up Rosy looked.
"Then could I look at your pretty things if I don't touch 'em?"asked the child, longing to peep into the interesting boxesscattered on the table.
"No, you can't! I'm busy, and don't want you asking questions andmeddling. Go away and let me alone."
Cicely spoke crossly, and waved her hand with a warning gesture,thereby upsetting the tray which held the beads of the necklace shehad decided to wear for want of something better.
"There, now see what you've done! Pick up every one, and be quick,for I'm in a hurry."
"But I didn't touch 'em," began poor Button, as she crept abouthunting for the black and white beads that looked like very uglymarbles.
"Don't talk; pick them up and then scamper; you are always inmischief!" scolded Cis, vexed with herself, and the heat, and theaccident, and the whole world just then.
Rosy said no more, but several great tears dropped on the carpet asshe groped in corners, under the bed, and behind the chairs for therun-aways; and when the last was found she put it in her tyrant'shand, saying, with a wistful look,--
"I'm very sorry I troubled you. Seems to me if _I_ had a littlecousin, I'd love to have her play with my things, and I wouldn't becross to her. Now I'll go and try to AMOOSE myself with Bella; SHEis always good to me."
"Run along then. Thank goodness that doll came when it did, for I'mtired of 'amoosing' small girls as well as old ladies," said Cis,busy with her beads, yet sorry she had been so petulant with patientlittle Button, who seldom reproached her, being a cheery child, andblessed with a sweet temper.
Rosy felt too languid to play; so when she had told Bella, theLondon doll, her trials, and comforted herself with some kisses onthe waxen cheeks, she roamed away to the summer-house, which wascool and quiet, longing for some one to caress her; for the littleheart was homesick and the little head ached badly.
The "button-hole" had been made, the alley swept out, to the greatdismay of the spiders, earwigs, and toads, who had fled to quieterquarters, and Rosy had leave to go and come when she liked if Mr.Dover did not object. He never did; and it was her greatest delightto walk in the pretty garden at her own sweet will, always with thehope of meeting its kindly owner, for now they were firm friends.She had been too busy for a run there that day; and now, as shepeeped in, it looked so shady and inviting, and it seemed so naturalto turn to her dear "missionary man" for entertainment, that shewent straight up to his study window and peeped in.
He too seemed out of sorts that hot afternoon, for he sat leaninghis head on both hands at the desk strewn with piles of old letters.Button-Rose's tender heart yearned over him at once, and steppingquietly in at the long open window she went to him, saying in hertenderest tone,--
"Does your head ache, sir? Let me soft it as I do Papa's; he saysthat always makes it more better. Please let me? I'd love todearly."
"Ah, my darling, I wish you could. But the pain is in my heart, andnothing will ever cure it," sighed Mr. Thomas, as he drew her closeand put his wrinkled yellow cheek to her soft one, which looked morelike a damask rose than usual.
"You have trials too, I s'pose. Mine trouble me to-day, so I cameover to see you. Shall I go away?" asked Rosy with a sigh and thewistful look again.
"No, stay, and we will comfort each other. Tell me your troubles,Button, and perhaps I can help them," the kind old gentleman said ashe took her on his knee and stroked the curly head with a paternaltouch.
So Rosy told her latest grief, and never saw the smile that creptabout the lips that ask
ed in a tone of deep interest,--
"Well, what do you mean to do to that unkind Cicely?"
"For a minute I wanted to slap her back when she tried to spat myhands. Then I 'membered that Mamma said a kiss for a blow was a goodthing, so I picked up the beads and planned to do it; but Cis lookedSO cross I couldn't. If I had a pretty necklace I'd go and give itto her, and then maybe she'd love me better."
"My dear little missionary, you SHALL have beads to win the heart ofYOUR heathen, if that is all you need. See here; take anything youlike, and give it with the kiss."
As he spoke, Mr. Dover pulled open a drawer in the desk anddisplayed a delightful collection of pretty, quaint, and curioustrinkets picked up in foreign lands, and kept for keepsakes, sinceno little daughters of his own lived to wear them.
"How perf'ly dorgeous!" cried Rosy, who often fell into baby talkwhen excited; and plunging in her hands, she revelled for someminutes in sandal-wood cases, carved ivory fans, silver bangles,barbaric brooches, and necklaces of coral, shells, amber, and goldencoins, that jingled musically.
"What SHALL I take for her?" cried the little maid, bewildered bysuch a mine of wealth. "You pick out one, Mr. Thomas, that willplease her so much, 'cause you never send her anything, and shedon't like it," said Rosy, fearing that her own taste was not to betrusted, as she liked the shells and shark's teeth ornaments best.
"No, I'll give YOU one, and you shall do as you like about giving itto her. This, now, is really valuable and pretty, and any young ladywould like to wear it. It makes me think of you, my Button, for itis like sunshine, and the word cut on the little heart means peace."
Mr. Dover held up a string of amber beads with its carved amulet,and swung it to and fro where the light shone through it till eachbead looked like a drop of golden wine.
"Yes, that is lovely, and it smells nice, too. She will be sos'prised and pleased; I'll go and take it to her right away," criedRosy, forgetting to ask anything for herself, in her delight at thisfine gift for Cis.
But as she lifted her head after he had fastened the clasp about herneck, something in his face recalled the look it wore when she firstcame in, and putting both hands upon his shoulders, she said in hersweet little way,--
"You've made my troubles go away, can't I make yours? You are SOkind to me, I'd love to help you if I could."
"You do, my child, more than you know; for when I get you in my armsit seems as if one of my poor babies had come back to me, and for aminute I forget the three little graves far away in India."
"Three!" cried Button, like a sad, soft echo; and she clung to thepoor man as if trying to fill the empty arms with the love and pitythat over-flowed the childish soul in her small body.
This was the comfort Mr. Thomas wanted, and for a few moments hejust cradled her on his hungry heart, crooning a Hindostaneelullaby, while a few slow tears came dropping down upon the yellowhead, so like those hidden for years under the Indian flowers.Presently he seemed to come back from the happy past to which theold letters had carried him. He wiped his eyes, and Rosy's also,with the big purple silk handkerchief, and pressing some verygrateful kisses on the hot cheeks, said cheerfully again,--
"God bless you, child, that's done me good! But don't let it saddenyou, dear; forget all about it, and tell no one what a sentimentalold fool I am."
"I never truly will! Only when you feel sorry about the poor littlebabies, let me come and give you cuddlings. They always make peoplefeel more better, and I love 'em, and don't get any now my dearpeople are away."
So the two made a tender little plan to comfort each other whenhearts were heavy with longings for the absent, and parted at thesmall gate, both much cheered, and faster friends than ever.
Rosy hastened in with her peace-offering, forgetful now of headacheor loneliness as she sat patiently in the wide entry window-seatlistening till some sound in Cicely's room should show that she wasawake. Before that happened, however, poor Button fell asleepherself, lulled by the quiet of the house,--for every one wasnapping,--and dreamed that Mr. Dover stood waving a rainbow overhis head, while several Indian gods and three little girls weredancing round him, hand in hand, to the tune of "Ring around arosy."
A loud yawn roused her, and there was Cis peeping out of her door tosee what time it was by the old-fashioned clock on the landing. Upscrambled the child, feeling dizzy and heavy-eyed, but so eager togive pleasure that she lost no time in saying, as she swung thenecklace in the sunshine,--
"See! this is for you, if you like it more better than thethunder-and-lightning marbles, as Cousin Penny calls the one youwere going to wear."
"How lovely! Where DID you get it, child?" cried Cis, wide awake atonce, as she ran to the glass to try the effect of the new ornamenton her white neck.
"My dear Mr. Thomas gave it to me; but he said I could give it awayif I liked, and I want you to have it, 'cause it's ever so muchprettier than any you've got."
"That's very kind of you, Chicken, but why not keep it yourself? Youlike nice things as well as I do," said Cicely, much impressed bythe value of the gift, for it was real amber, and the clasp of gold.
"Well, I've talked with Mr. Thomas about missionarying a great deal,and he told me how he made the savinges good by giving them beads,and things to eat, and being patient and kind to them. So I thoughtI'd play be a missionary, and call this house Africa, and try tomake the people here behave more better," answered Rosy, with suchengaging earnestness, as well as frankness, that Cis laughed, andexclaimed,--
"You impertinent monkey, to call us heathen and try to convert us!How do you expect to do it?"
"Oh, I'm getting on pretty well, only you don't CONVERT as quick assome of the savinges did. I'll tell you about it;" and Button wenton eagerly. "Cousin Penny is the good old one, but rather fussy andslow, so I'm kind and patient, and now she loves me and lets me dothings I like. She is my best one. Cousin Henny is my cannybel,'cause she eats so much, and I please HER by bringing nice thingsand getting her cushions ready. You are my baddest one, who is crossto me, and fights, and raps my head, and slaps my hands; so Ithought some beads would be nice for you, and I bringed thesebeauties. Mr. Thomas gave 'em to me when I told him my trials."
Cicely looked angry, amused, and ashamed, as she listened to thefunny yet rather pathetic little play with which the lonely childhad tried to cheer herself and win the hearts of those about her.She had the grace to blush, and offer back the necklace, saying in aself-reproachful tone,--
"Keep your beads, little missionary, I'll be converted without them,and try to be kinder to you. I AM a selfish wretch, but you shallplay be my little sister, and not have to go to strangers forcomfort in your trials any more. Come, kiss me, dear, and we'llbegin now."
Rosy was in her arms at once, and clung there, saying with a faceall smiles,--
"That's what I wanted! I thought I'd make a good savinge of you if Itried VERY hard. Please be kind to me just till Mamma comes back,and I'll be the best little sister that ever was."
"Why didn't you tell me all about it before?" asked Cicely,smoothing the tired head on her shoulder with a new gentleness; forthis last innocent confession had touched her heart as well as herconscience.
"You never seemed to care about my plays, and always said, 'Don'tchatter, child; run away and take care of yourself.' So I did; butit was pretty dull, with only Tabby to tell secrets to and Bella tokiss. Mr. Thomas said people over here didn't like children verywell, and I found they didn't. HE does, dearly, so I went to him;but I like you now, you are so soft and kind to me."
"How hot your cheeks are! Come and let me cool them, and brush yourhair for tea," said Cis, as she touched the child's feverish skin,and saw how heavy her eyes were.
"I'm all burning up, and my head is SO funny. I don't want any tea.I want to lie on your sofa and go to sleep again. Can I?" askedRosy, with a dizzy look about the room, and a shiver at the idea ofeating.
"Yes, dear, I'll put on your little wrapper, and make you allcomfortable, and bring you some
ice-water, for your lips are verydry."
As she spoke, Cicely bustled about the room, and soon had Rosynicely settled with her best cologne-bottle and a fan; then shehastened down to report that something was wrong, with a fear in herown heart that if any harm did come to the child it would be herfault. Some days before Cicely had sent Button-Rose with a note to afriend's house where she knew some of the younger children were ill.Since then she had heard that it was scarlet fever; but though Rosyhad waited some time for an answer to the note, and seen one of theinvalids, Cis had never mentioned the fact, being ashamed to confessher carelessness, hoping no harm was done. Now she felt that it HADcome, and went to tell gentle Cousin Penny with tears of vainregret.
Great was the lamentation when the doctor, who was sent for in hothaste, pronounced it scarlet fever; and deep was the self-reproachof the two older women for their blindness in not before remarkingthe languid air and want of appetite in the child. But Cicely wasfull of remorse; for every quick word, every rap of the hatefulthimble, every service accepted without thanks, weighed heavily onher conscience now, as such things have an inconvenient way of doingwhen it is too late to undo them. Every one was devoted to thechild, even lazy Miss Henny gave up her naps to sit by her at allhours, Miss Penny hovered over the little bed like a grandmother,and Cicely refused to think of pleasure till the danger was over.
For soon Button-Rose was very ill, and the old house haunted by thedreadful fear that death would rob them of the little creature whogrew so precious when the thought of losing her made their heartsstand still. How could they live without the sound of that sweetvoice chirping about the house, the busy feet tripping up and down,the willing hands trying to help, the sunny face smiling at everyone, and going away into corners to hide the tears that sometimescame to dim its brightness? What would comfort the absent mother forsuch a loss as this, and how could they answer to the father for thecarelessness that risked the child's life for a girl's errand? Noone dared to think, and all prayed heartily for Rosy's life, as theywatched and waited by the little bed where she lay so patiently,till the fever grew high and she began to babble about many things.Her childish trials were all told, her longings for Mamma, whoseplace no one could fill, her quaint little criticisms upon thoseabout her, and her plans for making peace. These innocentrevelations caused many tears, and wrought some changes in those whoheard; for Miss Penny quite forgot her infirmities to live in thesick-room as the most experienced nurse and tenderest watcher. MissHenny cooked her daintiest gruel, brewed her coolest drinks, andlost many pounds in weight by her indefatigable trotting up and downto minister to the invalid's least caprice. Cicely was kept away forfear of infection, but HER penance was to wander about the greathouse, more silent than ever now, to answer the inquiries and listento the sad forebodings of the neighbors, who came to offer help andsympathy; for all loved little Button-Rose, and grieved to think ofany blight falling on the pretty blossom. To wile away the longhours, Cicely fell to dusting the empty rooms, setting closets anddrawers to rights, and keeping all fresh and clean, to the greatrelief of the old cousins, who felt that everything would go todestruction in their absence. She read and sewed now, having noheart for jaunting about; and as she made the long neglected whitepinafores, for Rosy, she thought much of the little girl who mightnever live to wear them.
Meantime the fever took its course, and came at last to the fatefulday when a few hours would settle the question of life or death. Thehot flush died out of the cheeks that had lost their soft roundnessnow, the lips were parched, the half-shut eyes looked like sickviolets, and all the pretty curls were tangled on the pillow. Rosyno longer sung to Bella, talked of "three dear little girls" and Mr.Thomas, tigers and bangles, Cis and necklaces, hens and gates. Sheceased to call for Mamma, asked no more why her "missionary man"never came, and took no notice of the anxious old faces bending overher. She lay in a stupor, and the doctor held the little wastedhand, and tried to see the face of his watch with dim eyes as hecounted the faint pulse, whispering solemnly,--
"We can only hope and wait now. Sleep alone can save her."
As the sisters sat, one on either side the narrow bed that day, andCicely walked restlessly up and down the long hall below, where bothdoors stood open to let in the cool evening air, as the sun wentdown, a quick but quiet step came up the steps, and Mr. Dover walkedin without ringing. He had been away, and coming home an hour ago,heard the sad news. Losing not a moment, he hurried to ask about hislittle Button, and his face showed how great his love and fear were,as he said in a broken whisper,--
"Will she live? My mother never told me how serious it was, or Ishould have returned at once."
"We hope so, sir, but--" And there Cicely's voice failed, as she hidher face and sobbed.
"My dear girl, don't give way. Keep up your heart, hope, pray, willthat the darling SHALL live, and that may do some good. We can't lether go! we won't let her go! Let me see her; I know much of feversfar worse than this, and might be able to suggest something," beggedMr. Dover, throwing down his hat, and waving an immense fan withsuch an air of resolution and cheery good-will that tired Cis feltcomforted at once, and led the way upstairs entirely forgetting thegreat feud, as he did.
At the threshold of the door he paused, till the girl had whisperedhis name. Miss Penny, always a gentlewoman, rose at once and wentto meet him, but Miss Henny did not even seem to see him, for justthen, as if dimly feeling that her friend was near, Rosy stirred,and gave a long sigh.
Silently the three stood and looked at the beloved little creaturelying there in the mysterious shadow of death, and they so helplessto keep her if the hour for departure had come.
"God help us!" sighed pious Miss Penny, folding her old hands, as ifthey did that often now.
"Drifting away, I fear;" and Miss Henny's plump face looked almostbeautiful, with the tears on it, as she leaned nearer to listen tothe faint breath at the child's lips.
"No; we will keep her, please the Lord! If we can make her sleepquietly for the next few hours she is safe. Let me try. Fan slowlywith this, Miss Henrietta, and you, dear lady, pray that theprecious little life may be given us."
As he spoke, Mr. Dover gave the great fan to Miss Henny, took thesmall cold hands in his, and sitting on the bedside held them closein his large warm ones, as if trying to pour life and strength intothe frail body, as his eyes, fixed on the half-opened ones, seemedto call back the innocent soul hovering on the threshold of itsprison, like the butterfly poised upon the chrysalis before it soarsaway.
Miss Penny knelt down near by, and laying her white head on theother pillow, again besought God to spare this treasure to thefather and mother over the sea. How long they remained so none ofthem ever knew, silent and motionless but for the slow waving of thenoiseless fan, which went to and fro like the wing of a great whitebird, as if Miss Henny's stout arm could never tire. Miss Penny wasso still she seemed to be asleep. Mr. Dover never stirred, but grewpaler as the minutes passed; and Cicely, creeping now and then tolook in and steal away, saw strange power in the black eyes thatseemed to hold the fluttering spirit of the little child by the loveand longing that made them both tender and commanding.
A level ray of sunlight stole through the curtain at last and turnedthe tangles of bright hair to pure gold. Miss Henny rose to shut itout, and as if her movement broke the spell, Rosy took a long fullbreath, turned on the pillow, and putting one hand under her cheek,seemed to fall asleep as naturally as she used to do when well. MissPenny looked up, touched the child's forehead, and whispered, with alook of gratitude as bright as if the sunshine had touched heralso,--
"It is moist! this is real sleep! Oh, my baby! oh, my baby!" And theold head went down again with a stifled sob, for her experienced eyetold her that the danger was passing by and Rosy would live.
"The prayers of the righteous avail much," murmured Mr. Dover,turning to the other lady, who stood beside her sister looking downat the little figure now lying so restfully between them.
"How can w
e thank you?" she whispered, offering her hand, with thesmile which had once made her pretty, and still touched the old facewith something better than beauty.
Mr. Dover took the hand and answered, with an eloquent look at thechild,--
"Let not the sun go down upon our wrath. Forgive me and be friendsagain, for her sake."
"I will!" And the plump hands gave the thin ones a hearty shake asthe great feud ended forever over the bed of the little peacemakerwhose childish play had turned to happy earnest.