The Angel from Viper
He had violet eyes, the smile of a seraph, and a halo of yellow hair, and he came from Viper, which is a creek many, many hills away from Happy Valley. He came on foot and alone to St. Hilda, who said sadly that she had no room for him. But she sighed helplessly when the Angel smiled—and made room for him. To the teachers he became Willie—to his equals he was Bill. In a few weeks he got homesick and, without a word, disappeared. A fortnight later he turned up again with a little brother, and again he smiled at St. Hilda.
“Jeems Henery hyeh,” he said, “'lowed as how he'd come along”—and James Henry got a home. Jeems was eight, and the Angel, who was ten, was brother and father to him. He saw to it that Jeems Henery worked and worked hard and that he behaved himself, so that his concern for the dull, serious little chap touched St. Hilda deeply. That concern seemed, indeed, sacrificial—and was.
When spring breathed on the hills the Angel got restless. He was homesick again and must go to see his mother.
“But, Willie,” said St. Hilda, “you told me your mother died two years ago.”
“She come might' nigh dyin',” said the Angel. “That's what I said.” St. Hilda reasoned with him to no avail, and because she knew he would go anyhow gave him permission.
“Miss Hildy, I'm a-leavin' Jeems Henery with ye now, an' I reckon I oughter tell you somethin'.”
“Yes, Willie,” answered St. Hilda absently.
“Miss Hildy, Jeems Henery is the bigges' liar on Viper.”