"That she is, Miss Flo. Come now, shall we play cat's cradle, or draughts? or shall I get Master Edgar's bricks, and we'll fix this tray with one end on the back of the sofa, and the other on the back of this chair; yes, it's quite steady. You were wishing only yesterday that you could have a play with these bricks. Now we'll see if we can build a tower, as Master Edgar does."
The bricks were a novelty, and as such they pleased the child for about half an hour. But Flo could only begin the tower; she could not stretch up her little arms to build it very high. Hetty was not very expert, and altogether the tower was a failure. Then poor Flo began to reflect again that it was very sad for her to be left at home when the others went on the common with papa.
"But you were there only yesterday, Miss Flo."
"Oh, but when papa goes, it is quite different. They will walk on and on, ever so far; they will get into a lane at the other side of the common, where there are flowers, woodbine, and pink and white roses, so pretty! They will stop at Mr. Gibson's, and see his lambs. I saw them last year, for then I could go in the little carriage, you know. They were so pretty; they skipped and jumped about so merry. I like to see things jump and run about. But I never see anything now, since papa brought the big doctor from London to see me. He was here, you know, to see some rich lady, and papa went to him, and told him about me, and he came. It was good of him, I know, but I wish he had not been so good, for he said I must lie still, and never be wheeled in the carriage. Oh, Hetty, take away the tray and the bricks. I think I hate them; it can't be wrong to hate dead bricks—only live things you know. What makes you cry, Hetty?"
"Because I am so sorry for you, Miss Flo, and I'd do anything to make you happy. Oh, Miss Flora, I have the loveliest thought! Mrs. Fenton, that lives not far from here, and is a friend of mother's, she has a beautiful Persian cat that her mistress—I mean the lady in London that was her mistress before she married—sent her for a Christmas box. And Minnie—that's her name—has kittens, and I know that last week they were not all given away, because she offered mother one, but mother couldn't have a second cat. Now I'm very sure that Mrs. Fenton would give me that kitten for you, and as soon as ever your mamma comes home, we'll ask if you may have it."
"Oh, Hetty, how lovely! What a very nice girl you are, Hetty! Mamma will let me have it, I know; for she said lately that she wished I had a kitten. What colour is it, Hetty?"
"Snow-white, with beautiful blue eyes; a real blue, not green, like common cats. And its fur is long and soft, and its tail as thick as a fur boa. They were the prettiest kittens I ever saw, and so merry! Mrs. Fenton had a big cork tied by a cord to the back of a chair, and those kittens were jumping at it and tumbling over each other; it was a sight to see. I'm only afraid they may be all gone, every one admires them so."
"This very moment," said Flo solemnly, "Mrs. Fenton may be going to give away the last of the kittens—the very last. Hetty, I'm afraid I'm going to cry. I should love that kitten so."
"Oh, don't cry, Miss Flo. Look, now; you promise me to lie quite quiet until I come back, and I'll just run round to Mrs. Fenton's, and sec if there's a kitten to be had."
"I will indeed; I'll lie here and never move. I always do when I promise. Do go, Hetty. I am longing for the kitten."