"Is that you, Hetty? How quick you went!" cried Flo, whom the sound of voices had awakened. "Had Mrs. Fenton a kitten left?"
"Oh, Miss Flo! Yes, my dear, she had. I've got it here."
She went up to the sofa, and Mrs. Eyre saw how the child's face brightened.
"Why, you are wet, Hetty! Is it raining? Oh! oh! what a beauty! Oh! you dear, darling kitten. Hetty, you are so kind; I will not fret a bit more. See how she curls herself up in my arms! And, oh, Hetty, it's actually purring! I didn't know such little cats could purr."
Hetty stooped and kissed the child; then she went out into the hall, where Mr. and Mrs. Eyre stood, watching the little scene. Lina was watching, too, with her hands full of sweet wild flowers; the two little boys were in the basket carriage, and were both asleep.
"Ma'am," said Hetty, "must I go to-night? I'm very, very sorry. It was dreadful careless of me—and to forget the pudding, too! I'll go this moment if you wish it, ma'am."
"Not to-night, Hetty. There is no real harm done, I am thankful to say. To-morrow I will decide. You may go down now, and get the things ready for tea. Put the pudding into the oven; we must use it cold to-morrow. The children must have some bread and jam to-night."
Here Edgar, who was generally a good-tempered child, and not given to greediness, raised a howl because he could have no pudding. He was only half awake, which must be his excuse. The noise roused Flo from rapt contemplation of the kitten.
"Oh, mamma! Have you come home? Come here and see what Hetty has brought me."
"Edgar, stop that noise at once! I'm ashamed of you; run upstairs with Lina. Yes, Flo, I see. It is a very pretty kitten—a Persian, I think."