"Meg," he said, in a smothered voice, "God has sent us two little children instead of the one He's took to Himself. Here is Dickie for you to comfort."
Meg opened her arms, and Jem laid Dickie in them.
"No one shan't hurt you any more, Dickie, while we live," he said; "don't you have any more fear."
The child had given one rapid glance at Meg's face, and the moment he recognized her he nestled down confidently in her arms, while Cherry stood by with happy tears running down her cheeks.
"It's a solemn charge, Jem," said his mother.
"Cherry says she's been askin' Jesus to find a home for him for ever so long, and now it's come," answered Jem.
"Cherry, child," said Mrs. Seymour, "you come up with me, and I'll put you to bed, and to-morrow we'll talk it all over."
"Yes, to-morrow I must go and see their father at the hospital. I trust he'll live till then."
"You won't be 'fraid for 'Cherry' to go to bed, Dickie?" asked the little girl, looking down on him as he lay.
Dickie shook his head.