"Well, then, take me home 'ight away," said Susy; "mamma can hear what I say. Please take me home, grandpa."
The dear little thing called him "Grandpa," because she thought all old gentlemen must be grandfathers.
"I can't hear a word, my poor child; I am deaf. Oh dear! what is it she wants? she must be lost," said the poor little old gentleman.
"Yes, I am lost," said the child; "and mamma wants Susy. She can't do without me. Papa, too. I'm his little mouse. I bring him his slippers when he comes home, and I sing to him about 'Three little kittens, lost their mittens.' Come, grandpa, take Susy home; ah, do;" and she looked up into his face with a sweet, coaxing smile, and clasped his hand tighter with her soft and pretty fingers.
"Oh, dear! oh, dear!" said the little old gentleman, "if I only could hear! But I can't! I am deaf."
So they walked along quite a distance, through the green lane, where the tender grass looked so dewy and fresh, and the first spring violets were peeping up; but no one came in sight, and the little old gentleman in his trouble, looked north, south, east and west, for somebody to come that could hear what the little one said.
All at once he thought, I will ask God to help me; and he said aloud, in a voice trembling with age—"Oh, my Heavenly Father! help me to find assistance for this tender little lamb."
When Susy heard him say that, her rosy lip began to tremble, and a great tear came into each of her blue eyes. Poor little darling! she knew something was wrong, but she did not understand why he could not hear her. She could hear him, and she did not know what it meant, to be deaf.