[CHAPTER X]
TOM MEETS THE DWARF
IT was on a Thursday that Mrs. Burford and Nellie went to Broadstairs, and the evening of the following day saw the former at home again. Nellie had been in very low spirits when she had left her, Mrs. Burford was obliged to admit, but the little girl had promised to try to be happy and was to be trusted to keep her word.
"When she makes friends amongst the other children and begins to get stronger I expect she'll settle down comfortably and not fret," she said hopefully; "as I told her, the time will soon slip by to Christmas, and then—oh, think what a blessing it will be if she returns to us well and strong!"
"Yes, won't it?" said Tom. He had had supper with his parents, and now was alone with his mother, his father having left the house to post a letter. "And won't we have a jollification when she comes home!" he cried; adding, "Oh, Mother, I must tell you all my experiences of yesterday! Such exciting experiences they were!"
"It seems to me that you're always having exciting experiences, my dear," smiled Mrs. Burford. "Well, I'm ready to hear them."
She listened in silence whilst Tom spoke of his and Peter's adventure with the cow, the colour fading from her cheeks; noticing which sign of agitation the boy hastened to tell her all about Grace Lee and the Sordellos, and thus diverted her thoughts into another channel.
"You'll have to write all this to Nellie, Mother," he said, in conclusion, "for I'm sure I couldn't explain it properly, and she'll be so interested, you know. Besides, I promised she should hear everything that went on at home whilst she was away. I quite meant to go to Hatwell Green to-day, but it's rained so heavily that I've had to put off going till to-morrow."
"I don't understand why you are so anxious to find out whether or not this little show-girl is related to the gipsies," said Mrs. Burford, looking rather mystified.
"Because Moses Lee is a very kind man, and I believe if he knew a relation of his was being served badly—of course I should tell him— that he'd interfere," Tom promptly replied.