"Oh, thank you; but I often do carry him," said Cherry.
"My! ain't he light? Well, dear," to the child, "you're not afraid as I am old Sairy?"
For Mrs. Blunt had heard the whole story from Miss Hobson that morning.
"No," said Dickie; but the very name made him tremble, and Mrs. Blunt, perceiving it, knew she should not have said that.
When he was placed on Mrs. Seymour's lap, Mrs. Blunt produced something which she had carried on her arm.
"There!" she said, with evident delight; "don't you think as we've been quick? This little nightgown was calico in the shop at nine o'clock this mornin', and here it is ready for him to put on now."
"You've made it for him?" asked Mrs. Seymour, too astonished to find words.
"That we have! When you sent for me this mornin' to tell me about borrowin' mine—bless 'im, he was welcome to it!—and to ask me to 'elp you with your laundry work, as 'as been put so behind this week, I ran down to Jenny to see if she would mind my children. (She's a kind girl at a pinch.) And then thinks I, 'Mrs. Seymour won't be ready with her irons and things for a few minutes;' and I pops on my bonnet, and takes the little 'uns round to the shop to get the calico. We was back in no time, and there was Jenny smiling at the door waitin' for me.
"'Jenny,' says I to her, 'I know as you're good at your needle, and I want to surprise Mrs. Seymour. I haven't made a present to any one these many years, but if you'll help me, I will to-day!'
"Jenny, she takes it in as kind as anythink.