II.
_A MONKEY, A PUPPY, AND A BEGGAR._
"Lily!"
"Yes, mamma!"
"Can I trust you to do something for me?"
"Yes, indeed, mamma! you know I like to help you."
"I want it done immediately, dear."
"Oh, yes, mamma, I'm ready. I'll do it right away."
Mrs. Norris sat at the library table, writing. As she said the lastwords she hastily folded the note she had just finished, and slipped itinto its envelope; then, as she put the address upon it, she said,--
"I have an appointment to keep, Lily; and there is Mrs. Bradford now, Ibelieve. I am going with her, and I would like you to lay these paperssmoothly in my writing-case, those others in this box,--you know wherethey belong,--and to put my silver inkstand carefully in the secretary.There, I have closed it, so you cannot spill the ink. Will you be ahelpful little girl, and see to that for me, my daughter?"
"Yes, indeed, mamma," said Lily again. "I'm glad you let me do it foryou. I'll be very careful with the inkstand."
"And at once, remember, dear," said Mrs. Norris, rising from her chair."I do not wish the inkstand left here on the table, or the paper to liescattered about. It will be a great help to mamma if you do it nicely.Ah! good afternoon, Mrs. Bradford," as that lady was shown into theroom. "I am all ready, and will not detain you. I had just received anote which needed an immediate answer, before I left home; but it isfinished, and I shall trust Lily to put by my writing materials forme."
Lily looked up at Mrs. Bradford, rather proud of being trusted by hermother; and the lady smiled as she stooped to kiss her.
"Lily likes to help mamma as well as Maggie and Bessie do, I see," shesaid.
"Yes: and she can often be of great assistance when she is prompt andpunctual," said Mrs. Norris, drawing on her gloves.
"Are Maggie and Bessie well, Mrs. Bradford?" asked Lily.
"Yes, dear; and they wished me to ask you to come and see them verysoon. I do not know when they want you to come, for they have someplans to arrange with their Aunt Annie, but they will let you know.They are drawing some pictures for you, I believe, and want to explainit to you."
"Oh, yes," said Lily; "they promised me a proverb picture, and theirproverb pictures are so interesting. I should think any one might beglad to have them."
"They certainly seem to give great satisfaction, both to themselves,and to those whom they are intended to benefit," said Mrs. Bradford,laughing. "Good-by, Lily. The children will see you soon. I gave themleave to ask you when they pleased; and you must come early, wheneverthat may be."
"Thank you, ma'am," said Lily. "I'll come just as soon as mamma willlet me."
She followed her mother and Mrs. Bradford to the front door, where theformer turned, and said a little uneasily,--
"Lily, attend to the inkstand at once, my darling."
"I am going to, mamma," answered the little girl, meaning what she saidat the moment, though she afterwards came so far short of it, as youshall see.
As the door closed after the two ladies, Lily caught the notes of ahand-organ in the street; and running back to the library, she went tothe window to look out for the strolling musician who carried it.
She had not forgotten her mother's orders, or the help she had promisedto be to her; and as she passed by the table on her way to the window,the scattered papers and the silver inkstand caught her eye, andreminded her of her promise.
But she did not pause.
"Just a moment; I'll put them away in one moment," she said to herself."I'll just look and see if that organ man is coming here; 'cause Ihave some pennies in my pocket, and I'll give him some. Oh, yes! therehe is, and he has a monkey. I like monkey organ men the best, 'causethe monkeys are so funny. What a funny fellow! Why, he's 'most thecunningest monkey I ever saw;" and Lily had quite forgotten her promise.
She was in great glee over the monkey, who certainly was a droll,though a very ugly little beast, as monkeys generally are; and sheamused herself with him for some time, as he climbed the balconyrailings, stoop, and blinds, hopped up and down the broad stone steps,and every now and then came close to the window where she stood, andmouthed and jabbered away at her. Amused though she was, she was gladthat the glass was between her and the grinning creature; and shealways took the opportunity of his little excursions to open the windowand quickly thrust out the pennies, for which he immediately sprangdown, and taking them up in his paw hurried with them to his master.Lily treated him also to a cake, which he greedily nibbled; and then,seeing that the poor creature lapped his tongue upon a damp spot on thestone pavement, where a little water had been spilled, as though hewere thirsty, she called a servant to bring a cup of water, and gavehim a drink.
Finding that she thus provided entertainment for man and beast, andthat he was reaping quite a harvest, the organ-grinder stayed for sometime; and all the while, the inkstand remained unheeded on the table.Not quite forgotten, either; for every now and then the recollectionof it would come to her; but Lily kept saying to herself, "In oneminute; I'm going in just one minute."
But the one minute multiplied itself into twenty before the man movedoff with his organ and his monkey, and Lily felt at leisure to attendto her mother's wishes.
But it seemed after all that the time had not yet come.
"Miss Lily," said a servant man, putting his head in at the librarydoor, "is Master Tom at home?"
"No, I b'lieve not; I think he didn't come from school yet," answeredLily, with her hand on the inkstand.
"I'd like to know what time he'll be in," said the man, lingering,"for my brother is below with the puppies Master Tom wanted to see.There's a gentleman wants to buy both; but seeing Master Tom had spokenabout one if it suited, he thought it was only fair to bring them herefirst, and let him make up his mind. But the gentleman must know thisafternoon. Wouldn't you like to see 'em, Miss Lily? They're suchpretty little dogs."
"Yes, indeed I would," answered the child; and she followed the manto the basement hall, where his brother waited with the puppies,--notwithout another thought of her still unperformed duty; but again shecontented herself with the excuse, "I shan't be half a minute, and theinkstand is shut up. It can't spill the ink."
Alas, alas! it was long before the recollection of it again crossedLily's mind.
If she had found the monkey bewitching, what did she find the littledogs,--playful, pretty creatures, which seemed delighted with aplaymate frolicsome and mischievous as themselves?
Then her brother Tom came in; and, hearing that the dogs were there forhis approval, came down to look at them and decide which he would have.
Of course Lily must stay and help him to make his choice; and now thatvexatious little feeling that there was something wrong, some dutyunfulfilled, had altogether passed away. Lily was quite at her ease bythis time.
The matter was at last settled; the dog chosen, the man paid and sentaway, leaving the selected puppy in a very low and melancholy state ofmind at the parting. He whined and cried piteously, first scratchingand barking at the door where his former owner and his puppy brotherhad passed out; and at last, after refusing to be comforted by all thepetting that was lavished upon him, retiring into private life behindthe kitchen coal-scuttle, and resolutely declining to be coaxed out.
"Never mind," said Tom, "he'll be all right by and by, Lily. Wait tillhe's hungry, and he'll come out and be glad enough to make friends. NowI am going to buy a house for him. I saw some pretty little dog-housesdown at Bruner's this morning, and I'll go look at them, and see ifthey'll answer."
"Oh, Tom! could I go with you?" asked Lily.
"Yes, if you like," said Tom; "I'll be glad to have you; only makehaste to be dressed, Lily. Will you go to Nora _at once_?"
"Yes, yes," said Lily, clapping her hands; and away she flew to beg hernurse to make her ready as soon as possible.
Nothing presenting itself just then to take up her attention, or whichlooked more attractive than the promised walk w
ith Tom, she made nodelay, but obeyed his direction to go and be dressed _at once_.
How many boys do you think would have consented as readily, cheerfully,and kindly as Tom Norris did to such a request from a little sister?But that was Tom's way. When he granted a favor or bestowed a kindness,it was done in a manner which made it seem as if it were a pleasureto himself. And if he were obliged to refuse Lily any thing that sheasked, she never grumbled nor fretted, because she knew well that Tomwould grant it if he could, or if it were best for her to have it. Tomnever said he couldn't be "bothered with girls," or "catch me doingit," or ran off with some other contemptuous or unkind speech, such asboys too often use toward their little sisters. Tom was a true man, anda true gentleman, kindly and courteous in his manner and words towardall women and children, but especially to his mother and little sister:free, fearless, and generous; daring to do and to speak the right; yetso bright, so gay, so manly that not one among his companions everthought of calling him a "Miss Nancy," a "muff," or other like names.
No, indeed! and was not Tom Norris the king of Mr. Peters' school, thejudge in all disputes, the one to settle all difficulties, to "help afellow out of a scrape"?
Nora would as soon have thought of questioning her own care and wisdomfor Lily as she would that of "Master Tom."
"Miss Lily's all right, ma'am, she's with Master Tom," would be answerenough when there was any inquiry about the little girl; and it wasquite satisfactory to mother or nurse to know that she was with herbrother. No fear that Lily would come to harm or fall into mischiefwith Tom to guard and guide her.
So she made no objection when Lily came running to her and begged to bedressed to go out with Tom; and she soon had her ready.
As the little girl went downstairs to join her brother, he stood in thehall below, putting on his overcoat.
"Lily," he said, when he saw her, "did you tell Nora to sew on thesetwo buttons?"
"Oh, Tom!" cried Lily, clasping her hands together, and looking ashamedand troubled, as she well might.
"You told me, Lily," said Tom, "when I wanted to ask mamma to give theorder, that you would be sure to attend to it, and that you would goright away and tell Nora. Now you must wait till I go up and have itdone. You put it off, I suppose, and so forgot it."
Yes, that was just it; more procrastination, and so forgetfulness.
Tom did not speak angrily, but his voice was grave, and Lily saw thathe was vexed.
"I'm so sorry," she said to herself, as she opened the front door, andstood waiting for her brother upon the stoop. "I did mean to rememberand tell Nora right away, and I only just stopped to listen to mamma'smusical box for a moment, and so I went and forgot. It is too mean I doforget so quick."
What was the reason Lily forgot so quickly and so often?
Because she allowed other things to take her time and her attentionfrom the duty she should first attend to.
"Please, dear little lady, to help a poor woman."
Lily started, and looked around. She had not seen the woman coming, andshe now was half way up the steps, almost at her elbow.
"Please, little lady," the woman began again; "I've a little girl athome no bigger nor yourself, and five more of 'em, and not a mouthfulto eat have they had these twenty-four hours. A little money to buybread for 'em, and bless your beautiful face."
"Oh, dear! I'm so sorry," said Lily; not moved by the woman's flattery,but by the vision of the six children no larger than herself, who werestarving. "I think mamma would give you lots of things if she werehome, but she is not; or papa either. Couldn't you come again?"
"And I might go home to find them dying or dead," whined the old woman,coming nearer, and trying to peer within the half open door. "Youcouldn't give a poor mother a loaf of bread, or a few pennies, littlelady? I'm not a beggar at all; I'd be ashamed to beg, but I thought ifI could get a lift this once, I'd work it out some day. I never beggedin my life; but there's the children starving, and me with a brokenarm."
Lily, who was a charitable and generous child, felt her sympathystrongly roused, and remembering the store in her money-box upstairs,she said,--
"Oh, yes! I have money of my own, and I'll give you some. But it's wayupstairs, so you'll have to wait a minute till I bring it. And I'llsee if I can have a loaf of bread for you too."
The woman was about to follow her into the house; but Lily,recollecting certain charges she had heard given to the servants, andalso a sad and mortifying thing which had once happened to MaggieBradford, would not suffer her to enter. But, not wishing to hurt thewoman's feelings, she said,--
"I think you'd better wait outside. Mamma don't like to have strangepeople come in when there's no one about; and the servants are alldownstairs 'cept Nora, and she's up. I'll be back in a minute;" and,with an encouraging nod to the woman, away she flew on her errand ofkindness.
Poor Lily! in the midst of her intended prudence, she had been mostimprudent; for she left the door partially open, not wishing to seemtoo inhospitable, and never dreaming the woman would disregard herorder, and take advantage of her absence.
She ran into the nursery and found her money-box, taking from ittwenty-five cents. Tom was speaking to Nora, who was still busy withhis coat, and Lily did not interrupt him. But presently he turned toher.
"Going to do some shopping too, Lily?" he asked, as he saw what she wasdoing.
"No," said Lily, "this is for a poor woman downstairs. Don't you wantto give her something too, Tom? And do you think mamma would let megive her a loaf of bread? She's not a common beggar: she says she'snot; and she has six children, all starving, just about as big as me."
"Miss Lily," said Nora, starting up, "now what have you done with her?Where is she?"
"Oh, you needn't be afraid, Nora," answered Lily. "I was very careful,and told her to stay outside, on the stoop, 'cause I remembered howMaggie let a man come in the house, and how he stole her papa's newovercoat while she went upstairs. I took very good care of her, andtold her she couldn't come in, 'cause every one was upstairs ordownstairs. Shall you give her some money? and can I have the bread,Tom?"
"Wait till I come down and see the woman," said Tom, who knew thatLily's sympathies were too apt to run away with her judgment.
Lily waited with what patience she might for a moment or two; but itseemed to her that Nora's fingers moved very slowly.
"Tom," she said presently, "couldn't you come and see the woman whileNora finishes the coat? You know those children must be growingstarveder and starveder every minute."
Tom laughed, but consented; and, taking her hand, was about to lead herfrom the room, when Nora stopped her.
"Miss Lily," she said, "you took away my large scissors this morning,and I need them to cut out some work. Will you bring them to me beforeyou go down again?"
"You find them, please, Nora," answered Lily. "They're somewhere in mybaby-house."
"Your mamma forbid it," said Nora. "She told me when you took a thingthat way and kept it, I was to make you bring it back, and not go andhunt it up for you."
"Just this once," pleaded Lily.
Nora shook her head, though she would herself willingly have humoredthe child.
"Your mamma was here, you know, when you took the scissors," she said,"and she told me if you did not bring them back as you promised, I wasto send you for them. She said you are getting too much in the way ofthinking that I am to hunt up all the things you don't put back intheir places, and to see to every thing you put off and leave undone.You must bring me the scissors before you go, dear."
"While you find them I'll go down and talk to your woman with thehalf-dozen children all just of your size," said Tom, who evidently hadhis doubts on the subject of Lily's _protegee_; "and if she seems allright you shall give her some food; but we won't give her money tillwe know more about her. That is mamma's rule, you know. Nora, pleasebring me the coat when it is done."
And Tom went away, leaving Lily to follow when she had found thescissors.
It t
ook her some three or four minutes to do this; for she had leftthem among a heap of bits of silk and ribbon with which she had beenplaying that morning, and neglecting to take the scissors back to Norawhen she had finished with them, as she had promised to do, she hadforgotten them altogether, and could not find them at once.
The coat was ready when she went back to Nora, and the nurse followedher downstairs with it.
"Your bird had flown when I came down, Lil," said Tom, when he saw her.
"Who, the woman? Had she gone away?" asked Lily.
"Yes, she had gone; no sign of her. But didn't you say you had shut herout?"
"I told her to stay out, 'cause there was no one about in this partof the house to take care of her," answered Lily, with an air ofconfident wisdom and prudence.
"And did you not shut the door?" asked Tom.
"Not so very tight," said Lily. "I left it a little scrap open, forfear her feelings would be hurt, and maybe she might think I wasn'tcoming back to her."
"Oh, wise Lily!" said Tom, laughing, as he put on his overcoat; "youleft the door standing open, and told her there was no one in this partof the house! Next time, little woman, close the door."
"Did she come in?" asked Lily. "I told her she must not."
"No, I believe not," answered Tom; "and as it is there is no harm done,for I've looked round, and there's nothing touched. The hats and coatsare all right, and every thing else seems to be safe. You've had betterluck or a better beggar than poor Maggie; but next time, puss, don'tyou leave any one the chance to walk in when the coast is clear."
"You're sure there's nothing taken, and that she's not in the house,Master Tom?" said prudent Nora.
"Yes, I believe it's all safe," said Tom; "but you'd better call Robertup, and tell him to make a thorough search. Come, Lily, we'll be offnow."