And while Hecla, who overheard all this, was wondering what a girl would be like who hadn't any head on her shoulders, Miss Anne chimed in with further entreaties, and said how she meant to do everything herself for the little darling, and how she would dress and undress her, and take her out and teach her to read. Aunt Millicent wanted nothing more than to keep Elisabeth, for she hated new faces and new ways. So at last it was settled, and Elisabeth's poor blistered face became quite radiant with happiness.
"And I can help," Hecla said confidently. "I can button all the buttonholes, can't I, Auntie Anne?—And lots of things besides."
"But you mustn't forget things, if you promise to do them," Miss Anne warned her.
Hecla was perfectly sure that she never would forget any single thing to do with Ivy. Miss Anne could not feel so sure, but she began to hope that having Ivy in the house might in time really make Hecla more careful.
The looked-for day came at last; and little Ivy was brought by her mother, who stayed one night in "The Cottage."
There is no need, I think, to describe the parting next day. All who have seen such partings know only too well what they mean. And Hecla knew, for she had had to say a worse good-bye to her own dear mother, less than two years before. Young as she was, she had not forgotten that sad time.
Ivy was a tender-hearted, loving little child, and poor Mrs. Croft tried hard for her sake not to give way; and Ivy, too, struggled not to sob, because she had been told that it would distress her mother. But when the fly had driven away, she cried most bitterly and seemed quite broken-hearted. Hecla, who at first sight had tumbled over head and ears in love with the little girl, was rather astonished that she could not be comforted by either toys or "sweeties," which last Hecla had bought with the saved-up pence of three weeks.
"Never mind, she will be better by-and-by," Aunt Anne whispered, as the sobbing child turned away to hide her face on Miss Anne's shoulder.
Indeed, that was the only thing which seemed to comfort her—being held tightly in those kind arms and petted and kissed.
But happily little children soon cheer up, and by next morning, though she still looked forlorn and tears were near at hand, she was able to take her breakfast, and to be interested in things around.