Maggie considered a moment. "But I am very attached to the colonel," she said, "and I think I could give up one foot if it would be of use to him."
"I believe you would, my generous little girl," said the colonel; and Mrs. Rush stooped and kissed Maggie very affectionately.
"Will that new foot walk in the street?" asked Maggie.
"Yes, it will walk anywhere when I'm accustomed to it. But I am a little awkward just yet, and must practise some before I venture on it in the street."
It seemed almost too good to be true, that the colonel should be sitting there with two feet, which certainly looked quite as well as papa's or Uncle Ruthven's, or those of any other gentleman; and it was long before his affectionate little friends tired of looking at him and expressing their pleasure.
"We have some very good news for you," said Bessie; "mamma said we might tell you."
"Let us have it then," said the colonel; and the grand secret about Uncle Ruthven and Aunt Bessie was told.
"I just believe you knew it before," said Maggie, who thought Colonel and Mrs. Rush did not seem as much surprised as was to be expected.
"I am afraid we did, Maggie," said the colonel, smiling; "but we are none the less pleased to hear Bessie tell of it."
"But if Uncle Yuthven did it for a favor to us, why did he not tell us first?" said Bessie, rather puzzled.