“And what is to happen now?” asked Mrs. Baker with sympathy.
“Oh, didn’t my husband tell you that we are giving up the circus? This will be our last appearance; the circus breaks up to-night. Mr. Drake has sold the menagerie and most of the troupe have got other positions. We shall stay here two or three days, I think, until Mr. Drake sells some of the work horses.”
“Have the Shetland ponies been sold?”
“Not yet. They’d be very nice for children to have as pets,” replied Mrs. Drake quickly, with an eye to business.
Mrs. Baker smiled understandingly.
“I was not thinking of ourselves, but of a friend of mine,” she said quietly. “But, Mrs. Drake, I want to ask you please to keep me posted about Letty’s whereabouts. Here is my card with the address on it. In the autumn I think I should like to place her in some good school where she can study and be equipped for making her way in the world. I am sure my daughter-in-law would be glad to have me do it in return for Letty’s act of heroism in saving the children’s lives. My daughter did try to find the child that same autumn after her mother’s death.”
“She was living with us, quite in the neighborhood. But I never thought of leaving an address,” exclaimed Mrs. Drake in some dismay. “I should hate to think I had stood in Letty’s way of getting settled in life. Indeed, Mrs. Baker, she would repay any kindness shown her, no matter for what reason,” she continued earnestly. “Her mother was a real lady and always hoped her little girl could be properly brought up. She’s far above such folk as us, mem,” she added humbly.
Indeed, Mrs. Baker’s idea was to begin doing something for Letty’s good before the autumn, but this plan must be considered very seriously before it could be carried out.
Letty and the twins came running back to them. Letty’s eyes were shining and there was a pink glow in her thin cheeks. She looked more like her old, bright, cheerful self than she had since her mother’s death. The children were greatly excited.
“Oh, grandmother,” exclaimed Jane, “Letty says the Shetland ponies are for sale and we thought——”