And they kneeled down, and Mr. Richmond put all Matilda's heart into a prayer for her, and some of his own.
"I must go now, Mr. Richmond," Matilda said presently after. But she said it with a much more cheerful tone.
"I shall want to hear how you get on," said Mr. Richmond. "When will you take tea with me again?"
"Oh, I don't know, sir. Aunt Candy is always at home."
"And keeps you there?"
"Yes, sir. Lately. She didn't at first."
"Well, I must see about that. I think you must be allowed to come and see me, at all events. Perhaps you do not know, Matilda, that your mother in almost the last hour of her life asked me to take care of you."
"Did she?" Matilda exclaimed, with a wonderful change of voice and manner.
"Yes. She did. In your aunt's presence."
"And you will, Mr. Richmond?" said the child, a little timidly.