[CHAPTER XXV.]
THROUGH THE WATERS.
LETTIE settled down into her new home, slowly learning to love those around her, and gradually becoming accustomed to the strange restraints as to manner, behaviour, and speech, which at first were most irksome, after her past life of freedom in such matters. The little neglected mind was opening now to the enjoyment of beauty and happiness, where at first all had seemed a blank. Leveson Therlock knew by this time how much more ignorant and neglected they would have found her, but for the simple efforts of old Job Kippis during many months.
The next few weeks were busy ones, for Mrs. Therlock had all sorts of plans for helping the Forsyths, and Lettie's greatest delight was in seeing those plans carried out. Hor's long-standing wish to go to sea was at last to be fulfilled, and when the boy, in a fervour of excitement on hearing the good news, rushed off to Job Kippis, he listened patiently to the old man's grave rebuke.
"Will ye say now, boy, that God don't care for ye,—aye, though ye don't deserve He should? Kind to the unthankful and evil He be, but take care ye don't tempt Him too far, or maybe He'll see fit to withdraw His mercies from you."
The Forsyths were no longer to live on in their miserable home. Two or three airy rooms were found for them in an airy street, at a short distance, and were simply furnished by Mrs. Therlock, who undertook also to pay a portion of the rent. Through Leveson's efforts, regular work was procured for John Forsyth, and the next move was, by dint of much exertion and great correspondence, to place the half-witted boy, Roger, in an idiot asylum.
Things began, as Esther said, to "look up" with them once more. She was able again to take a pleasure in neatness and respectability, and her careworn look gave place to health and cheerfulness. The measure dealt out to little Lettie in her friendless days was amply repaid—"good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over."
There were plans also for Job Kippis and Ailie. Mrs. Therlock was going soon with her two little girls to live in her country house, and a tiny lodge close to the garden gate would just do for Job. Ailie should go to the village school, and learn to read and write and work, and when at home should take her share in opening the gate, and should be her grandfather's little housekeeper. For a while it seemed as if the plan might come to pass, and how eagerly the three children discussed it in all its bearings need scarcely be told.
Job did not seem to count upon it much himself, however. He had rallied slightly from his weakness, but never enough to be moved from the old garret. He liked to hear the little ones talking of their country home, and would listen to their anticipations, but he did not join in them for himself.