[CHAPTER XXVII]
SUNSHINE AND HAPPINESS
WINTER was giving place to early spring. It was a mild day towards the end of February, and the sun shone with genial warmth into the pleasant sitting-room window of Homeleigh, where Mr. Harding stood gazing out into the garden, waiting for Mousey's return from school.
Nearly three months had passed since the old man's severe illness. The doctor had advocated change of scene as soon as possible; so Homeleigh had been put in readiness to receive its new inmates; and a fortnight before Christmas, Mrs. Dawson had superintended the removal of her cousin's furniture to the new abode, and then had gone home to her family, who had become clamorous for her return.
Mr. Harding had soon made a recovery, though his shoulders were more bent than they had been; and he seemed better satisfied to take life quietly. Although he had given up his shop he found plenty to do still, as he had considerable property in the town, the management of which gave him sufficient employment. He had not altered much in his general appearance; but those who knew him well, found that since his illness he was much changed, for he now evinced a desire to spend some of his hoarded money when he saw it would do good. Then, too, he grew more sociable, and allowed Mousey to invite her school-fellows to tea, and appeared really pleased to see them—Nellie Thomas, in particular.
"Mousey will be here soon," he thought, as he stood at the window. "Ah, there she is; lingering to say good-bye to Nellie Thomas, as usual."
In another minute the little girl came running up the garden path, her bright, happy face turned towards him, He smiled and nodded at her, for she had so crept into his heart as to become the sunshine of his life.
"Oh, what a lovely day!" she cried, as she entered the room a moment later. "I hope you have been out, Cousin Robert?"
"Yes, my dear," he responded; "I've been for a stroll in the park, where I made the acquaintance of two friends of yours."
"The twins? Dolly and Dick? I know they go to play in the park every morning. Did you really speak to them, Cousin Robert?"