He looked at her in deep perplexity.
"Mrs. Osgood adopted Florence," Charlie interposed again. "It was all her fault; for she would not allow the relation to be kept up, and"—
"This is your grandmother?" he interrupted almost sharply, feeling unconsciously bitter against Florence.
"This is dear Granny."
He took the wrinkled hand, not much larger than a child's, for all it had labored so long and faithfully.
"Mrs. Kenneth," he said, "I am proud to make your acquaintance. One such child as Charlie would be glory enough."
Charlie fairly danced with delight to see Granny so honored in her old days. And as for the poor woman, she was prouder than a queen.
"You've been so good to her!" she murmured tremulously, nodding her head at Charlie.
"She is a brave girl, even if she did run away. I have used my best efforts to make her sorry for it."
"But oh! Mr. Darol, the work was all undone as soon as I came home. For when I found them sick, and full of trouble, it seemed so good to be able to take care of myself, that I think running away the most fortunate step of my whole life."