“I thought she was going to kill me.” The child spoke as if to herself.
“Who, Maddy?”
“It was Mrs. Jeckyl. She had me in a room. Oh, dear, mother! I don’t know what’s the matter with me!”
And the child shuddered, while an expression of almost abject fear came into her face.
“You are safe at home, my love,” said Mrs. Dainty, in a soothing voice. “There is no Mrs. Jeckyl here, but kind Miss Harper instead. And she is going to stay with us.”
“That’s best of all,” replied Madeline, partially recovering herself, and looking up into the face of Miss Harper. “I was so sorry when you went away and that dreadful woman came in your place.”
“Won’t you rise now?” said Florence, taking Madeline by the hand and drawing her gently upwards. The child yielded, and sat erect in bed. Mrs. Dainty brought a frock, and a change of under-clothing, and both she and Florence busied themselves in removing the soiled garments of Madeline and replacing them with such as were fresh and clean. The excitement of all this quickened and diverted her mind. When fully attired, and ready to join the anxious, expectant family, Florence said to her,—
“I think your father and Uncle John are in the sitting-room. Shall we go down?”
She held out her hand. Madeline drew back for a moment.
“Come, dear?” Florence spoke cheerily. “I know Uncle John wants to see his pet.”