Inside The Rosebud the other two members of the party were also enjoying themselves, though not exactly in like manner. They revelled in tea and in the feast of reason.
“Where, and when, and why did you find that child?” asked Miss Stivergill.
Her friend related what she knew of Tottie’s history.
“Strange!” remarked Miss Stivergill, but beyond that remark she gave no indication of the state of her mind.
“It is indeed strange,” returned her friend, “but it is just another instance of the power of God’s Word to rescue and preserve souls, even in the most unfavourable circumstances. Tottie’s mother is Christian, and all the energies of her vigorous nature are concentrated on two points—the training of her child in the fear of God, and the saving of her husband from drink. She is a woman of strong faith, and is quite convinced that her prayers will be answered, because, she says, ‘He who has promised is faithful,’ but I fear much that she will not live to see it.”
“Why so?” demanded the other sharply.
“Because she has a bad affection of the lungs. If she were under more favourable circumstances she might recover.”
“Pooh! nonsense. People constantly recover from what is called bad affection of the lungs. Can nothing be done for her?”
“Nothing,” replied Miss Lillycrop; “she will not leave her husband or her home. If she dies—”
“Well, what then?”