“Landy’s sake!” gasped Amy, horrified.
But Jessie determined to take matters in her own hands for the time being, Mrs. Foley not being present. She immediately unrolled the bundle of things she had brought, and Henrietta halted on the step of the house, poised as though for flight, her pale eyes gradually growing rounder and rounder.
“Them ain’t for me?”
“If they fit you, or can be made to fit you, honey,” said Jessie.
“Oh, the poor child!” exclaimed Amy softly, taking care that Henrietta should not hear her.
“Silk!” murmured Henrietta, and sat down on the step again, put her arms out widely and squeezed the silk dress up to her flat little body as though the garment was another baby.
“Silk!” repeated the poor little thing. “Miss Jessie! How good you are to me! I never did have a thing made of silk before, ’cepting a hair ribbon. And I never had any too many of them.”
CHAPTER XXIII
DARRY’S BIG IDEA
When Mrs. Foley and the baby arrived home there stood upon the platform at the back door of the house a most amazing figure. She knew every child in Dogtown, and none of them had ever made such an appearance. She almost dropped the baby through amazement.
“For love of John Thomas McGuire!” burst forth the “bulgy” woman, finally finding her voice. “What’s happened to that child? Is it an angel she’s turned into? Or is she an heiress, I dunno? Hen Haney! what’s the meaning of this parade? And have you washed the dishes like I told you?”