Hetty would have felt less abashed had she known that the speaker would have made the same remark if Matty had been the new maid.
"Good-bye, Hetty. I'll try to see you some evening; but you know we'll be very busy, wanting your help."
Matty lifted the box into the hall, pushed her sister in very gently, and went quickly away. Hetty felt and looked very forlorn; and, but for the amused smile on Mrs. Goodenough's wrinkled face, she would have begun to cry again. But now a door opened, and Mrs. Eyre, with her baby in her arms, came into the narrow hall.
"Hetty, how nice and early you have come! Leave your box there for the present, and come here to Miss Flo; she is very anxious to see you."
She led Hetty into the parlour, where all her children were assembled. There were four—two little girls, a boy of about three, and the baby, who was a boy also.
The eldest girl, whom they called Lina, was a pretty, active, healthy-looking little maiden, about six years old, very good-tempered, and very fond of her own way—which, after all, is not a very uncommon liking. Then came Flora, who was five, but such a tiny creature that it was hard to believe that she was so old. Little Edgar, the eldest boy, was quite as big and far heavier than this poor wee fairy. She lay on a sofa near the window, and her small face, which was usually very grave and pathetic in its sad patience, was all alive now with anxiety and curiosity. She had lovely dark eyes and pretty brown curls, but her face was too white and pinched to be called pretty, though she had been a lovely baby. She fixed her eyes on Hetty's face, and a little shy, timid smile crept over her own; then she said, in a soft, clear little voice,—
"Is this Hetty? Oh, mamma, she looks kind. I shall not be afraid of Hetty."
She spoke quite plainly and distinctly, much more so than did Lina, who often gabbled so fast that it was hard to understand her.
"This is Hetty, who will carry my little Flo so safely that there will be nothing to be afraid of. My little Flo—she likes Hetty, I think."
"I like Hetty. Her eyes look kind. Please, Hetty, stoop and kiss me. Will you be kind, Hetty, and patient with me? I'm sometimes peevish, I'm afraid."