“I will let her stay till she feels well again, and then I will find out about her,” answered Mamma soothingly. “Don’t be troubled, Posy; I love my own little children too well not to try to make all other children happy.”
Posy looked greatly relieved.
Tom had been silently watching the little match-girl, and listening eagerly to what Mamma said to Posy. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out his new top and looked lovingly at it.
“She can have my new top if she wants it,” he said to Mamma.
“I am glad you thought of it, my dear, but I don’t think little girls care much for tops,” said Mamma.
An expression of relief came over Tom’s face; for the new top was very dear to him, and he had saved the money for it, cent by cent.
“Do you think she would like to have Miss Pompadour?” asked Posy.
“We will see that she has playthings,” said Mamma; “but first of all she needs food, and here comes Hannah with the bread and milk.”
The poor child ate greedily, the children looking on with intense satisfaction.
That afternoon Major was harnessed to the carryall; and Mr. Winton, with Tom and Posy, and little Nancy for a guide, set out for Nancy’s old home. A ride was an unknown and undreamed-of treat to the neglected child, and the kindness with which she was received almost overpowered her.