Rose Stuyvesant was sitting on a low chair, Louise at her side, and Charlie on her lap; while the book with golden clasps was open in her hand. With one shout of joy, the children darted towards Daph, and gave her a welcome which filled her honest heart with joy.
That sight was a reward to Diedrich Stuyvesant for all the unwonted labors of the day.
“Come, Rose!” he said, “they can do without us now. I must learn to know these little people some other day. But stay,” he added, as he looked round on the scrupulously neat, but very plainly furnished apartment, “Daph, I must speak to you a moment, before I go.”
The children for an instant were quiet, and the wealthy citizen drew his purse from his pocket, and holding it towards Daph, he said, “You ought to have something to make amends for this day’s trouble. Take that for you and the children.”
“Ise thank you, sir,” said Daph, drawing back, “Ise thank you, sir, but my missus’ childen shall want for nothing while poor old Daph can work for them.”
“Well, have your own way Daph,” said Diedrich Stuyvesant; “but one thing you must let me do for you. Let me take the gold chains that have given you so much trouble, and put them in safe keeping. I will see that you get their full value in money, if you should ever be in need.”
The treasured jewelry was cheerfully relinquished; and Daph even felt relieved to have them no longer in her charge.
“Remember, Daph,” said the kind-hearted citizen, as he bade her good-bye, “remember, you have something now to depend upon.”
“Ise thank you for your goodness, sir—Ise thank you. Ise sure the great Lord will nebber let Daph come to want.”
“Never, Daph! either in this world or the next!” said Rose; and with one of her sweet smiles she followed her father from the room.