“Oh, yes! I do remember now. Oh, how good you are to me! And the gentleman, too. Has he come back?”
“Not yet, dear. It is not time for him to come yet. But you must not be afraid. Mr. William will be sure to keep his word and hunt up your friends,” said Annie.
“Oh, I know he will! If I didn’t believe in you and him, I should not be possessed of common sense,” said the child.
“Now, my dear, will you get up and let me dress you? Or would you rather lie here a little longer?”
“Oh! thank you, ma’am, I would like to get up. But you needn’t trouble about dressing me. I always dress myself.”
“Oh, you do? That is quite right. Now, then, here is your suit of clothes from head to foot,” said Annie, placing the pile on a chair beside the bed.
While the child was dressing, the woman made up the bed. Both processes were finished about the same time.
The imp looked very clean and nice in her bright pink frock, white apron, and stockings, and shining black shoes, and she was regarding herself with great satisfaction.
“Your clothes are not as good as the ragpicker stole from you, I reckon,” said Annie, almost apologetically.
“Oh, but I like them better. They are so bright and pretty! And, then, I shan’t be afraid to soil them. They can go in the washtub and be washed, you know. I always like to wear frocks that can go in the washtub and be washed, you know. Don’t you? One can keep so clean then.”