'You know I will, dearest.'
'Don't let them forget me. Try to make them remember their mother's good points only, if she has any. I have not been the best of mothers, but it was through ignorance; and, please God, I'll learn all about Him, so that the children may not find me wanting in sympathy when I come home to them.'
'Pray for them night and morning, just when you feel sure they are saying their prayers and asking God to bless "muvver."'
'Oh, their dear little lisps! They won't be babies any longer when I see them again, my darlings!'
This was the worst parting; though the little woman clung to Catherine at the last moment in the railway carriage, and felt, as she owned, that she could scarcely bear to let her go, the mother's sorrow was naturally the stronger, as was proved by her last words.
'Be good to them, Cath, take care of them.'
As the girl returned alone to the villa, to superintend the removal of herself and the children to Redan Cottage and to part with the nurse, she was conscious of a feeling of dread at the responsibility she had adopted, as well as of a loneliness due to the loss of her friend; and it was only by means of prayer that she regained courage.
Not until Ted and Toddie were installed in their new home did Catherine break the news to them of their mother's departure.
'Oh, Carr, she's not gone'd?'
The pathetic cry, the startled look went straight to the girl's heart.