Mother-Meg; or, The Story of Dickie's Attic

CHAPTER XX.

Chapter 207,615 wordsPublic domain

EARTH'S SONG AND HEAVEN'S ECHO.

While Cherry was busy all day long, from early morning, when she cleaned the doctor's step, till evening, when she read poor suffering Miss Hobson to sleep, little Kittie Blunt was learning her life-lessons too.

"Kittie," said Mrs. Blunt one day, as she and the little girl stood over their washing-tub, "I shouldn't like you to grow up like Pollie, and them girls, as is never satisfied unless they're at their doors gossipin'."

"Well, I don't, mother," answered Kittie, a little sulkily.

"No, you don't; but if you go so much with Pollie it won't be long afore you do."

"I don't go with Pollie now," said Kittie. "I should ha' thought as you'd seen that I didn't, mother, since--that Sunday."

"I'm glad on it," said Mrs. Blunt heartily. "That's good news, Kittie. You'll grow up to be a comfort to me yet."

Kittie wrung out a towel very hard, but she half shook her head.

"Yes, you will, Kit. It may be a deal easier to you now to go out on the step, and see folks passin', and have a grumble with Pollie; but by-and-by, if you're steady, you'll find it a deal easier to sit down with mother to a bit o' work, and have a chat or a bit o' readin'."

"'Tain't that I care so much for _Pollie_," answered the girl rather dolefully; "but you don't know how dull it seems in 'ere, instead of outside, mother; leastways when you're used to goin' out."

Mrs. Blunt did not answer, for Kittie's words gave her a pang. If her child only would believe that she knew best!

But Mrs. Blunt had some one to consult now in all her difficulties. She raised her heart to Him with an earnest prayer, that Kittie might be kept from the first steps of danger. So it was with a quieted trust that she bent over her tub once more; she knew but little, but that little was so real, that it made her life a perfectly different thing.

Was she puzzled how to guide her boys?--she asked Jesus about it. Was she worried with Kittie?--she asked Jesus to make it right. Was she cast down at their small means and many wants?--she told Jesus about it. Was she afraid that the food would run short?--she told Jesus about it.

And she found, as thousands have found before, that He could supply _all_ her need.

Did she watch and see that the boys were quieter than she expected, after that telling Jesus? Did she notice that Kittie cheered up and was good? that some one sent a frock for the baby unexpectedly? that her husband brought home an extra shilling for an extra bit of work he had done?

Ah! they that ask, expecting an answer, from the faithful God, shall receive abundantly.

Her thoughts were broken in upon by Kittie's drawing a pinafore out of the water, and saying--

"My! ain't this dreadfully old, mother? It ain't worth gettin'-up, that it ain't."

Mrs. Blunt shook her head.

"It 'ull have to serve another turn, Kit."

"I was a-thinkin'--" said Kit, hesitating.

"Well, Kittie, what was you a-thinkin'?" answered her mother, kindly.

"Why, there's Cherry Seymour, she earns two shillings a week."

"So she does, but she ain't you, and she's left school."

"But she don't earn that in school-time, mother."

"Of course she don't."

"But I've been thinkin', that if she was to mention me to them servants at the doctor's, who is so kind to her, they might know of some little place or 'nother before breakfast for _me_."

"So they might, Kit; you're a good girl to ha' thought of it."

"I _am_ honest," Kittie went on, meditatively, washing away all the time as she talked, "and you could say as I'm not given to pickin' things, or takin' what ain't mine, now couldn't you, mother?"

Mrs. Blunt laughed a little, at which Kittie blushed crimson.

"Mother!" she exclaimed.

"Oh, Kit, my dear, I never meant as I couldn't! Bless your heart, I should hope so! But I was laughin' at you havin' thought it all over so grand!"

"Well--but--mother--we would be glad of two shillings more every week, wouldn't we?"

"Of course we should, Kittie." Mrs. Blunt raised herself, and wrung the soap-suds from her arms. "Why, yes, Kit, if you _could_, my dear, we shouldn't know ourselves!"

Kittie looked very pleased; and directly her mother had done with her, she ran up-stairs to ask Cherry to put her into communication with the doctor's servants.

She knocked at Meg's door, but could get no answer, and remembering that they were away, she went up to the top to Mrs. Seymour's rooms.

Here on the landing, swaying about in the air that came in freely from the window, were sheets and clothes drying finely; she bobbed her head under them, and as she did so she heard Cherry's clear voice saying--

"I've a'most done, Miss Hobson; will it do then?"

Kittie gained admittance, and found Cherry starching some things on the centre table.

"My! you do know how to do it fine!" she exclaimed; and then she explained her errand.

Cherry took her compliments very calmly, ironing and starching were such every-day things to her; but when she heard what Kittie wanted she looked very serious.

"I can ask 'em and welcome, but I don't know as they would. But they are mighty kind."

As she spoke she went into the back room to give Miss Hobson a book which she had dropped on the floor, and the invalid called to Kittie to come too.

"Look 'ere," she said to her, "_I've_ got a friend as I'll name ye to, if ye like to go and see her. She's the curate's wife, what comes to see me sometimes, and I know as she've got a heap of children and not much to do with. Would ye like to go?"

Kittie said she should, and the day being Saturday, and a half-holiday, she ran down to ask her mother's permission to go at once.

Mrs. Blunt said it could do no harm to try, and made Kittie as neat as her very spare wardrobe would allow, and saw her set forth on her errand with a strange feeling that she was going out into the world.

Kittie traversed the two or three streets that brought her to the one where the good man, who spent his life among the poor, had his home.

She rang timidly, and stood for some minutes much concerned that the door was not opened, though she heard feet running up and down, and children's voices many and shrill.

At last another step came nearer and nearer, and the door was opened by a lady, pale and careworn, the curate's wife herself, who led the way without asking any questions into the front room, where a baby was crawling on the hearth-rug, and two or three little ones were standing about watching Kittie with curiosity.

The curate's wife took up the baby, and bade Kittie be seated. She supposed she had come on account of some sick relative, and patiently waited to hear the story. But when Kittie had explained why she came the lady looked surprised and pleased.

"And you think you could help me at odd times?" she asked at last, "and would not get tired of the children? because, you know, I could not have them slapped even if they were tiresome."

Kittie promised that this should never happen, privately remembering that it was a thing her mother never allowed, though she recalled with compunction, that now and then--but still she felt different now from what she used to do, and she must ask for help from the Lord Jesus.

All that passed through her mind as she made the promise, but the curate's wife could not tell that. She only thought that this little girl seemed very straightforward.

"So you would be able to come before breakfast, and light the kitchen fire?" she asked.

"Oh, yes, ma'am."

"But does not your mother want you, as you have such a large family at home?"

"No, ma'am, 'cause mother's obliged to stay at home with the little 'uns, and she says as we didn't ought both of us to be at home."

"But I am afraid I shall not be able to pay you as much as I should like, Kittie; I have very little to spend; and yet--" She sighed. "I _am_ so tired, and it would be such a comfort to have you if you were a good girl."

"I'd try to be, ma'am," answered Kittie; "but--mother says I'm very tiresome sometimes."

The curate's wife smiled kindly.

"We all are," she said gently; "but if we know it, and try to be better, so as to please our Lord and Master, we are sure to improve."

Kittie's eyes gave a flash; nobody talked to her quite like that. She should like to serve this pretty lady very much.

"Then you will come in the evenings too, and wash up our dishes for us, and help me put the children to bed, or anything I may want?"

Kitty promised, and went home, about the happiest little girl in London. Of course her difficulties were yet to come.

Two whole shillings a week! It seemed a fortune to her.

Cherry and Miss Hobson were as pleased as she could wish, and then she ran down and burst in with her news to her mother.

"Oh, Kittie!" exclaimed Mrs. Blunt, "won't you just have to be good to them dear little children! and to the lady too. I never did see such a wonderful thing, never. But it's like my Lord, that it is!"

* * * * *

When, after a fortnight's work at the Hall, Jem went back to London, he left Meg and Dickie to get two more weeks of fresh air and country milk.

Perhaps to Dickie that month in the country seemed to him afterwards as but one brief day filled with the birds' song.

All day long the two sat out under the apple-trees basking in the sunshine, and listening to the melodious sounds from the Hall farm.

Dickie, in Meg's old little wooden chair, was learning to catch the song of the different birds, and would listen intently and patiently while Meg tried to teach him how to distinguish them.

One day, seeing the lark soaring above their heads, she raised his hand, and pointed with his little finger as far as he could reach.

"It is up in the sky, Dickie, oh, so high! singing God's praise," she said.

And Dickie answered as he caught the sound--

"_God's_ hymn-book."

"What did the child mean?" thought Meg, as she gathered him into her arms and kissed him again and again. "Was he thinking how Cherry sang out of her hymn-book at home? And what could the lark sing out of, but God's hymn-book?" She did not know; but she looked with awe into the little face, which already, to her mind, seemed to reflect the light of heaven.

"Mother-Meg," said Dickie, all unconscious of her thoughts, "I should like to stay here always, 'cause the birds do sing so nice."

"Yes, Dickie, so they do, but we couldn't stay here always, because of father-Jem and Cherry. They'll want us back again."

"Yes, we can't stay away from Cherry, 'cause she takes care o' Dickie when you're not there; and I love father-Jem too."

"We are going back to-morrow, Dickie; but some day I hope you and Cherry will both come and see my mother again."

"She's very _kind_," nodded Dickie. "I'll come some day."

Mrs. Archer, who was sitting by, quite appreciated the compliment. She smiled a little tearfully, however.

"This has been a happy, peaceful month, Meg; I've enjoyed it as I never expected to enjoy anything on this earth again."

So Meg and Dickie went back to smoky London; and when Cherry saw her little brother, she was fain to burst into tears of joy, so altered and improved was he. And Jem was equally pleased with Meg, and said she looked like the country girl he had brought away a year ago.

As Dickie sat telling all his little news on Cherry's lap, he whispered earnestly--

"Cherry, I've heard 'em all day long. They sang Halleluia, like you!"

When Cherry noticed that Meg was sufficiently at liberty to attend to her, while still holding Dickie tightly in her arms as if she could not part with him, she produced something mysteriously out of her pocket, and handed it to Meg.

It was a little shabby purse, and when at her entreaty Meg opened it, it was found to contain ten whole shillings and a bright half-crown.

"Those are my first earnings, mother-Meg," said Cherry, smiling and colouring, "and they are for you."

"Not for me, dear; I shall put them away for you."

"No," answered Cherry stoutly; "I'm your child now--you know you said so, yourself--and so all I get is yours. Don't give it back, mother-Meg--don't--but let it go into the savings-bag."

"Shall I, Jem?" asked Meg, doubtfully.

"Yes," said Jem, "the child's quite right; we're all one family now, for good or ill. May God bless us all."

So Meg unlocked her savings-bag, and Cherry dropped her money into it with great satisfaction.

"Would you not like a _little_ for yourself, dear?" she asked.

"Not a farthing," answered Cherry, "not till you have to get me some boots. But I wore these old things all the time, 'cause I told grannie as I wanted to have every bit of it ready for you. That half-crown's what I got from her, for helping her with the washing."

"_I've_ got some savings too," said Jem, smiling. "I've kept it a great secret, even from Meg, because I wanted to surprise her. I was goin' to give it to her on our weddin' day, but as Cherry's so clever, I won't be left behind. There, Meg! this is what a pint a day would ha' cost me ever since last June; see, it's nigh on three pounds!"

Meg was too astonished to speak for a moment.

"It's to go into the Savings-Bank," pursued Jem, "and it's to buy a cottage with by-and-by; if it's God's will as we should."

"Oh, Jem!" exclaimed Meg, "I knew before we were married that you never took any of the drink, but I never guessed this."

"It's the only secret as I've kept from you, and now it's out," he answered. "Why, sweetheart, there's them as works with me, as drinks quarts instead of pints, and see what that mounts up to in a year, let alone the damage as they do to their health. They think it comforts 'em, but I'll tell ye one thing, they feel a deal worse afterwards."

Meg knew that from what she had heard, and Cherry knew it by sorrowful experience.

She bent her head and kissed Dickie. Oh, how thankful she was that they were taken away from all that! She told him for the hundredth time how glad she was to have him back.

But even Cherry's love, pleased as he was to be with her again, could not satisfy him. He soon slid down from her knee and began to feel his way round the room.

"Where are you going, darling?" asked Cherry, watching his renewed powers with delight. "What do you want?"

And Dickie answered in a yearning little tone, brimful of love--

"Only mo'ver-Meg!"

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=THE OLD HOUSE IN THE CITY; or, Not Forsaken=.

Crown 8vo, cloth, =2/6=.

"An admirable book for girls. The narrative is simply written, but there is a good deal of quiet force that deserves special notice."--_Teachers' Aid_.

=FLOSS SILVERTHORN; or, The Master's Little Handmaid=.

Crown 8vo, =2/6=.

"Thoroughly interesting and profitable, as Miss Giberne's tales always are. We should like to see this in every home library."--_The News_.

=MADGE HARDWICKE; or, The Mists of the Valley=.

Crown 8vo, cloth extra, =2/6=.

"An extremely interesting book, and one that can be read with profit by all." _The Schoolmaster_.

=WILL FOSTER OF THE FERRY=. Crown 8vo, =2/6=.

"We are glad to see this capital story in a new shape."--_Record_.

=TOO DEARLY BOUGHT=. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, =1/6=.

NEW SUNDAY STORY.

Large Crown 8vo, with Illustrations, =3/6=.

=By M. S. COMRIE=.

=THE KING'S LIGHT-BEARER; or, Shining for Jesus=.

A Story of Little Louise.

JOHN F SHAW & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

LONDON: JOHN F. SHAW & CO., 48, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.

STORIES BY EMMA MARSHALL.

=THE CHILDREN OF DEAN'S COURT=;

Or, Lady-bird and her Friends. Large Crown 8vo, with Illustrations, =8/6=.

=BLUEBELL. A Story of Child Life Now-a-days=.

Large Crown 8vo, with Illustrations, =3/6=.

=LITTLE QUEENIE. A Story of Child Life Sixty Years Ago=.

Large Crown 8vo, cloth, with Illustrations, =3/6=.

"'Little Queenie' is particularly pleasing."--_Saturday Review_.

=EVENTIDE-LIGHT. The Story of Dame Margaret Hoby=.

Large Crown 8vo, cloth, with Illustrations, =5/-=.

"A charming gift book, especially to girls in their teens."--_The Record_.

=THE END CROWNS ALL. A Story of Life=.

Large Crown 8vo, cloth, =5/-=. "A most exciting story of modern life, pervaded as Mrs. Marshall's tales always are by a thoroughly wholesome tone."--_Record_.

=BISHOP'S CRANWORTH; or, Rosamund's Lamp=.

Large Crown 8vo, cloth, Illustrated, =5/-=.

"This is a delightful story, with a considerable flavour of romance."--_Baptist_.

=LITTLE MISS JOY=. Crown 8vo, cloth, Illustrated, =2/6=.

"A pretty picture of childish influence."--_Brighton Gazette_.

=HURLY-BURLY; or After a Storm comes a Calm=.

Crown 8vo, cloth, with Illustrations, =2/-=.

"Simply and touchingly told."--_Aberdeen Journal_.

=CURLEY'S CRYSTAL; or, A Light Heart Lives Long=.

Crown 8vo, cloth, Illustrated, =1/6=.

"The vehicle of good thought as to life and its duties."--_The Christian_.

=ROBERT'S RACE; or, More Haste Less Speed=.

Crown 8vo, cloth, Illustrated, =1/6=.

"Is both cheap and good."--_Teachers' Aid_.

=PETER'S PROMISES; or, Look before you Leap=.

Crown 8vo, Illustrated, =1/6=.

STORIES BY M. E. WINCHESTER,

_Author of "A Nest of Sparrows," etc_.

=CITY SNOWDROPS; or, The House of Flowers=.

Large Crown 8vo, cloth, Illustrated, =5/-=.

"We have read very few stories of such pathos and interest."--_British Weekly_.

=GRANNY'S CABIN; or, All He Does is Love=.

Crown 8vo, cloth, Illustrated, =2/6=.

"Will do any one's heart good to read."--_Spectator_.

=LOST MAGGIE; or, a Basket of Roses=.

Cloth, Illustrated, =1/-=.

"A pathetic and interesting story."--_Record_.

JOHN F SHAW & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

LONDON: JOHN F. SHAW & CO., 48, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.

STORIES BY E. EVERETT-GREEN.

=FRIENDS OR FOES=.

A Story for Boys and Girls. Crown 8vo, with illustrations, bevelled boards, =2/6=.

=SHADOWLAND; or, What Lindis Accomplished=.

Crown 8vo, with Illustrations, =1/6=.

"A charming story for children, very prettily got up."--_Record_.

=HER HUSBAND'S HOME; or, The Durleys of Linley Castle=.

Large Crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Illustrations, =3/6=.

"Some of the scenes are particularly effective."--_Spectator_.

=MARJORIE AND MURIEL; or, Two London Homes=.

Small 8vo, cloth extra, with Illustrations, =2/6=.

"A capital story, very prettily got up."--_Record_.

=HIS MOTHER'S BOOK. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 2/.-=

"Little Bill is so lovable, and meets with such interesting friends, that everybody may read about him with pleasure."--_Spectator_.

=LITTLE FREDDIE; or, Friends in Need=. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, =2/-=

"There is real pathos in this story, telling how a poor little waif is protected from evil by the recollection of a lost mother's teaching."--_Liverpool Courier_.

=BERTIE CLIFTON; or, Paul's Little Schoolfellow=.

Crown 8vo, cloth, =2/-=.

"Seldom have we perused a tale of the length of this with so much pleasure." _The Schoolmaster_.

=LITTLE RUTH'S LADY=. Crown 8vo, with Illustrations, =2/-=.

"A delightful study of children, their joys and sorrows."--_Athenæum_.

"One of those children's stories that charm grown people as well as little folk." _Guardian_.

=OUR WINNIE; or, When the Swallows Go=.

Crown 8vo, cloth, Illustrated, =1/6=.

"The beautiful life of little Winnie is one which all children will do well to take as an example."--_Banner_.

STORIES BY J. M. CONKLIN.

=JUST AS IT OUGHT TO BE; or, The Story of Miss Prudence=.

Large Crown 8vo, cloth extra, =5/-=.

"Very original, interesting, with many good and suggestive thoughts." _English Churchman_.

"A capital book for girls."--_Baptist_.

=BEK'S FIRST CORNER, AND HOW SHE TURNED IT=.

Large Crown 8vo, cloth, =3/6=.

"Bek Westerley is a very charming person."--_Standard_.

=OUT IN GOD'S WORLD; or, Electa's Story=. Large Crown 8vo, =3/6=.

"One of the best girls' stories we have read."--_The Congregationalist_.

JOHN F SHAW & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

LONDON: JOHN F. SHAW & CO., 48, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.

STORIES BY L. T. MEADE.

_Author of "Scamp and I," &c_.

=GREAT ST. BENEDICT'S; or, Dorothy's Story=.

New and Cheaper Edition. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Illustrations, =3/6=.

"The description of Dorothy's life is excellent."--_Spectator_.

"At once a noble book, and a most interesting story."--_Court Circular_.

=A KNIGHT OF TO-DAY. A Tale=.

New and Cheaper Edition. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, =3/6=.

"A finely-imagined story of a good man. It is a book well worth reading." _The Guardian_.

=BEL-MARJORY. A Tale=. Crown 6vo, cloth extra, =6/-=.

"Most interesting; we give it our hearty commendation."--_English Independent_.

=SCAMP AND I. A Story of City Byeways=.

Crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Illustrations, =2/6=.

"All as true to life and as touchingly set forth as any heart could desire." _Athenæum_.

=THE CHILDREN'S KINGDOM;=

Or, The Story of a Great Endeavour. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Illustrations, =3/6=.

"A really well-written story, with many touching passages. Boys and girls will read it with eagerness and profit."--_The Churchman_.

=WATER GIPSIES. A Tale=.

Crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Illustrations =2/6=.

"It is full of incident from beginning to end, and we do not know the person who will not be interested in it."--_Christian World_.

=DAVID'S LITTLE LAD=.

Crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Illustrations, =2/6=.

"A finely-imagined story, bringing out in grand relief the contrast between quiet, steady self-sacrifice, and brilliant, flashy qualities."--_Guardian_.

=DOT AND HER TREASURES=.

With Illustrations. Small 8vo, cloth extra, =2/-=.

"One of the tales of poor children in London, of which we have had many examples; but none finer, more pathetic, or more original than this." _Nonconformist_.

=OUTCAST ROBIN; or, Your Brother and Mine=.

Illustrated. Small 8vo, cloth extra, =2/-=.

=WHITE LILIES, AND OTHER TALES=.

With Illustrations. Small 8vo, cloth extra, =1/6=.

"Stories of a singularly touching and beautiful character."--_Rock_.

=LETTIE'S LAST HOME=. Small 8vo, cloth extra, =1/6=.

"Very touchingly told."--_Aunt Judy's Magazine_.

=THOSE BOYS. A Story for all Little Fellows=. Small 8vo, =1/-=.

=LITTLE TROUBLE THE HOUSE=. Small 8vo, =1/-=.

JOHN F SHAW & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

LONDON: JOHN F. SHAW & CO., 48, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.

STORIES BY CATHARINE SHAW.

=Price Three Shillings and Sixpence each=.

=THE STRANGE HOUSE; or, A Moment's Mistake=.

"A charming story. It is characterised by simplicity of treatment, but the interest is cleverly sustained, and the characters are well drawn." _Manchester Examiner_.

=LILIAN'S HOPE=. Large Crown 8vo, cloth extra. With Illustrations.

"One of the best gift books for girls we have seen. The story throbs with the power and pathos of real home life."--_In His Name_.

=HILDA; or, Seeketh Not Her Own=. Crown 8vo, cloth extra.

"A charming story, illustrative of the blessedness of self-sacrifice." _Literary World_.

=Price Two Shillings and Sixpence each=.

=ALICK'S HERO=. Large Crown 8vo, cloth. Illustrated.

"Mrs. Shaw has added to our delight in noble boyhood, as well as to her own reputation, in this most charming of her works."--_The Christian_.

=ONLY A COUSIN=. Crown 8vo, cloth extra.

"In our excavations among heaps of tales we have not come upon a brighter jewel than this."--Rev. C. H. SPURGEON in _Sword and Trowel_.

=THE GABLED FARM; or, Young Workers for the King=.

Crown 8vo, cloth extra.

"A charming story, wherein the children are described naturally." _Evangelical Magazine_.

=IN THE SUNLIGHT AND OUT OF IT=.

A Year of my Life-story. Crown 8vo, cloth extra.

"One of the pleasantest books that a girl could take into her hand, either for Sunday or week-day reading."--_Daily Review_.

=NELLIE ARUNDEL. A Tale of Home Life=.

Crown 8vo, cloth extra, Illustrated.

"We need scarcely say that Mrs. Shaw holds out the light of life to all her readers, and we know of few better books than those which bear her name." _Record_.

=SOMETHING FOR SUNDAY=.

_SELECTED BY CATHARINE SHAW_.

=Price One Shilling each=.

1st. =OUTLINE TEXTS FOR PAINTING=. 48 Texts in Packet.

2nd. =HAPPY HOURS WITH THE BIBLE=. Devices for Bible Searching.

3rd. =ECHOES FROM THE BIBLE=. Illustrated Papers for Bible Study.

4th. =ALPHABET TEXTS FOR PRICKING OR PAINTING=. Specially for the Little Ones.

5th. =MESSAGES FROM HEAVEN=. Small Outline Texts for Painting. (Suitable for Flower Missions.)

6th. =GLEAMS OF GLORY FROM THE GOSPELS=. Subjects for Bible Study.

7th. =A LARGE THOUGHT IN A LARGE WORD=. Outline Texts for Painting.

8th. =SCRIPTURE FEAR NOTS=. Texts for Painting.

9th. "=ALL THINGS ARE YOURS.=" Outline Texts for Painting, with Hints for Bible Searching.

10th. =TEXTS FOR THE CHILDREN=. For Pricking or Painting.

JOHN F SHAW & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

LONDON: JOHN F. SHAW & CO., 48, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.