“O,” said Mrs. Preedy, feeling no interest in the little cousin, but a great deal in the legacy. “You may sit down, Becky.”
“Thank you, mum. I am to receive fifty pounds of my legacy to-morrow, and I want you to take care of some of it.”
“I’ll do it with pleasure, Becky.” Mrs. Preedy was slightly bewildered by the circumstance of having a servant with so much money at command; it was an unprecedented experience. Of course she would take care of the girl’s money.
“While you were out,” said Becky, “there was a knock at the door, and when I opened it I saw a little cousin of mine who has lost her mother, and has no one in the world but me to look after her. She knew I was in service here and she came to ask me to help her. I hope you will not consider it a liberty, but I took her in, poor little thing, and perhaps you’ll let her sleep with me to-night.”
Mrs. Preedy stared at Becky. “Is she there?” she asked, pointing to the servant’s bedroom.
“Yes, mum.”
Mrs. Preedy took a candle, and went into the room. Fanny was asleep, and when Mrs. Preedy laid her hand on her, she moved, and murmured—
“Is that you, Becky?”
Becky called out, “Yes, Fanny. Go to sleep again.”