"Yes, ma'am, very," said he, modestly; "but I never heard music like that before. It seems 'most as if it was alive."
"So it does," said Bessie, while the ladies smiled at the boy's innocent admiration.
"I think there's a many nice things in this house," continued Willie, who, in his very helplessness and unconsciousness of the many new objects which surrounded him, was more at his ease than his sister.
"And mamma is the nicest of all," said Bessie. "You can't think how precious she is, Willie!"
Mrs. Bradford laughed as she put back her little daughter's curls, and kissed her forehead.
"I guess she must be, when she is your mother," said Willie. "You must all be very kind and good people here; and I wish, oh, I wish it was you and your sister who gave the money for Dr. Dawson. But never mind; I thank you and love you all the same as if you had done it, only I would like to think it all came through you. And father says"—
Here Willie started, and turned his sightless eyes towards the open door, through which was again heard Mrs. Lawrence's voice, as she gave directions to Patrick respecting a parcel she was about to send home.
"What is the matter, Willie?" asked Mrs. Bradford.
"Nothing, ma'am;" answered the child, as a flush came into his pale cheeks, and rising from his chair, he stood with his head bent forward, listening intently, till the sound of Aunt Patty's voice ceased, and the opening and closing of the front-door showed that she had gone out, when he sat down again with a puzzled expression on his face.
"Does anything trouble you?" asked Mrs. Bradford.