“Well,” she said, calmly, but with a quivering lip, “we are to lose our child; but the will of the Lord be done.”
Mr. Burton’s only utterance was a deep sigh.
“Nay,” said “Cobbler” Horn, “if it really be as I cannot help hoping it is, you will, perhaps, not lose so much as you think. But I am sure you will not begrudge me the joy of finding my child.”
“No, indeed, dear sir. On the contrary, we will rejoice with you as well as we can—and with her.”
These were the words of Mrs. Burton, and they received confirmation from her husband.
At this point, Tommy Dudgeon quietly entered the room, and took his seat, at a motion from Miss Jemima, behind the chairs on which Mr. and Mrs. Burton were sitting.
“I have been anxious,” resumed “Cobbler” Horn, “thoroughly to assure myself that there was no mistake. Here is our friend, Dudgeon, now. You saw him the day we opened the ‘Home.’”
Perceiving Tommy for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Burton gave him a hearty greeting.
“Our friend knows,” continued “Cobbler” Horn, “that I’ve been very sceptical about the good news.”
“Very much so!” said Tommy, nodding his head.