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I tiss oo once, replied King Roy solemnly, and allowing his little rose-bud mouth to meet hers.
Oh, but aint he a real duck? said the girl. We ad a little un somethink like him wid us once. Yes, he wor werry like him.
Aint he with you now? asked Faith.
No, no; you mustnt speak o it to mother, but he died; he tuk the fectin, and he died.
Wor it fever? asked Faith.
Yes, perhaps that wor the name. Theres a many kinds o fectin, and folks dies from they hall. I dont see the use o naming em. Theyre hall certain sure to kill yer. Here the ragged girl seated herself on the grass quite close to Faith. Youll never guess where Im a going this afternoon, she said.
No; how could I guess? replied Faith.
Well, now, youre werry neat dressed, and folks like you have a kinder right to be there. But for hall that, though Im desperate ragged, Im goin. Youre sure you cant guess, can you?
No, I cant guess, answered Faith. I aint going nowhere particular myself, and I never wor good at guessing.
Well, now, aint it queer? I thought hall the spectable folks went. Why, Im going to Sunday-school tis to Ragged Sunday-school, to be sure; but I like it. I ha gone twice now, and I like it wonderful well.
I know now what you mean, replied Faith. I often wished to go to Sunday-school, but father dont like it; hed rayther I stayed to take care o Roy.
I guess as my father wouldnt wish it neither. But, Lor bless yer! I dont trouble to obey him. Tis werry nice in Sunday-school. Would you like to hear wot they telled us last Sunday?
Yes, please, answered Faith, opening her eyes with some curiosity.
Well, it wor a real pretty tale it wor bout a man called Jesus. A lot o women brought their babies to Jesus and axed Him to fondle of em, and take em in His arms; and there wor some men about ugh! I guess as they wor someut like father and they said to the women, Take the babies away as fast as possible; Jesus is a great, great man, and He cant no way be troubled. And the mothers o the babies wor going off, when Jesus said I remember the exact words, for we was got to larn em off book Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and dont forbid em; and He tuk them ere little babies in His arms and kissed em. I guess as some of em wornt too clean neither.
I wish ever so as I could take Roy to him, answered Faith. Thats a real lovely story. Mother, afore she died, telled me bout Jesus; but I dont remember bout Him and the babies. Now I must be going home. Thank you, little ragged girl. If you like you may kiss Roy once again, and me too.
Chapter Three
Up, up, said the little fellow, raising his arms and pointing to his favourite perch.
Warden endeavoured to get out of his way, but Roy clasped his little arms round his knees.
Fader, up, up, he said.
No; I cant, Roy. Dont be troublesome. Faith, that child is in every ones way. Take him and put him in the bedroom until his dinner is ready.
Little Roy was very hungry, and there was that in his fathers hard tone which caused him to raise his baby-blue eyes in wonder and some shadowy alarm. Faith took him, sobbing, into the bedroom, from which she returned with a very sad heart to her own dinner. Warden helped her sullenly; but to eat while her little brother was alone seemed to choke her. She found she could not swallow her nice Sunday dinner. She was always terrified of her stern father, but now for Roys sake she must brave his anger.
Please, father, may little Roy have his dinner first? Hes sech a baby, and hes so hungry.
No, Faith; I make a rule, and I wont break it. Tis a very proper punishment for you for being so late.
Roys little sobbing voice at the other side of the door, for the bedroom was inside the sitting-room, saying Open, open, made it almost
impossible for Faith to sit quiet, and she was much relieved when her father rose from the table and went out. Then what petting followed for little Roy! what feeding him with the choicest bits! until at last the little fellow, worn out from his walk and fit of crying, fell asleep in his sisters arms.
Faith laid him tenderly on the horse-hair sofa, covered him over, and sat down by his side. She sat on a low seat, and, folding her hands on her lap, gazed straight before her. Faith was nearly eleven years old now, but she was small for her age small, thin, and very sad-looking. Only when playing with Roy, or tending Roy, did her little sallow face grow childish and happy in expression. Faith possessed her mothers sensitive temperament. Love alone could make this child bright and happy; without love she must pine and die, perhaps as her mother died. Tears gathered slowly in her eyes as she recalled the little scene between her father and Roy. After a time, hearing steps in the street, she rose and went to the window. Some children, with their parents, were walking up the street happy children in their Sunday best, and happy parents, caring for and loving them. Faith watched one little group with special interest. There were four in this group a father and mother, and boy and girl. The girl held her fathers hand, and danced as she walked. The boy, a very little child, was led most tenderly by his mother. Faith turned away with a great sigh, and the tears now rolled slowly down her cheeks.