Meade L. T. - A London Baby: The Story of King Roy стр 16.

once already had visited this cellar. Before his call there was no resistance possible. With one magic touch, this great, awful, and mysterious some one would close the blue eyes and still the baby heart and yes yes yes break her heart for ever. A few big, heavy tears fell from her eyes at the terrible thought, but she wiped them away, dreading to disturb the sleeping child.

It was evening when little Roy awoke, and Hannah perceived with fresh terror that there was another change in him. He looked at her without a shade or gleam of recognition; he no longer called her red face pretty; he screamed at the sight of it, and cried often and wildly for Faith, who Hannah hoped he had forgotten.

Fate, Fate, come to Oy. Oy want oo vevy much, vevy much.

Hannah was at her wits end. She no longer feared discovery. She laid the child on the bed, and, pulling out the box which was hidden underneath, she took out again his little blue frock, his pretty shoes, and white pinafore. These she dressed him in, and he was pleased for the minute, and stroked the white pinafore, and called it Pitty, pitty.

There came a knock at the door as she fastened the button into the last little shoe.

Dats Fate knocking, said little Roy, raising his eyes solemnly to her face.

Hannah felt it might be, but she had become indifferent. She got up, and, with the child in her arms, went to open the door. It was not Faith, however, but the woman from over the way the woman from whom she had received the drops.

I cant stay a minute, neighbour, she said; but I thought it but right to tell yer as them drops they ha done fur my babby least way Im feared as they ha done fur her. She wor tuk wid convulsions last evening, and when the doctor come he said it wor the drops. He smelled to em and tasted em, and he said as there wor poison in em; and he threw em, bottle and hall, out of winder. He said as it wor well the ooman as sold em had made off to Mericy, fur she had done wot might transport her. He may save my babby, but he aint sure. I jest come hover to ask yer to go and tell the other mother.

This yeres the other mother, and this yeres the child, said Hannah, pushing Roy forward where what light there was might fall upon his white face. So you ere the one as ha killed my lad. Ay, but Ill be even wid yer, see ef I aint.

I meant no harm indeed, neighbour. I did it fur the best, said the poor woman, shrinking from Hannahs wild and angry eyes. Im main sorry fur yer. I never guessed as you had a child of yer hown. I thought you had only that wee Davie wot died last spring. But, howsomedever, that ere young un dont look so bad as mine. Take him to a doctor at once. Im real, real sorry as I did him an injury.

Wot doctor? said Hannah eagerly. Ill furgive yer, neighbour, ef yerll help me to save him. Wots the name o the doctor?

The doctor wot is saving mine is called Slade, he lives in Tummill Street, half a mile away; go to him at once, he may be to home now.

The woman went away, and Hannah lost not an instant in acting on the advice given to her. She wrapped her old shawl round little Roy, and forgetting even to close her cellar door, went out. The fog was less thick, and the gas made the place far brighter than it had been by day. Hannah walked briskly, for little Roy had laid his heavy head on her shoulder, and he felt cold in her arms. But she walked with hope going before and by her side. If the neighbours baby, who was so much worse than Roy, might yet recover, why surely he might. Her heart danced at the thought. Yes, God was not going to snatch this second treasure away. How very good she would be in future for such a loving mercy as this! She reached the doctors door, saw the name on the plate, and pulled the bell. In a moment a little maid opened it. But alas! the doctor was not at home, he was out at church, and so was the missis; he would be back in about an hour; would the woman call again in an hour? Hannahs heart sank within her; the night had turned very chilly, and little Roy, sleeping heavily in her arms, seemed to grow colder and colder; dare she keep him in the winter streets for a whole hour?

Look yere, my lass, she said suddenly, ef I may come in and rest anywhere in the house wid this little sickly young un, I dont mind how long it be. Hes werry sick Im feared, and Im main terrified to have him out in this east wind. May we wait inside, my little maid?

The little servant-girl had to refuse, however, though she did so with tears in her eyes. She was left in sole charge of the house. It was more than her place was worth to let any one in while master and missis were at church!

Hannah did not abuse her, but she turned away, with a feeling as though her feet were weighted with lead. What should she do

with little Roy? she dare not keep him for a whole hour in the cold, cold street. Ah! there was one refuge, and it was close a public-house shed its cheerful light upon the scene. There, in a place so warm and snug both she and the child might wait in shelter, in warmth and safety, and she had sixpence in her pocket, and she might spend twopence in gin. If little Roy were spared to her she meant never to drink again, but to-night she must have one little dram, for her heart was very low.