| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
|
She put her hand in mind as confidingly as if she had known me from
her cradle, and we trudged away together; the little creature
accommodating her pace to mine, and rather seeming to lead and take
care of me than I to be protecting her. I observed that every now and
then she stole a curious look at my face, as if to make quite sure that
I was not deceiving her, and that these glances (very sharp and keen
they were too) seemed to increase her confidence at every repetition.
For my part, my curiosity and interest were at least equal to the
child's, for child she certainly was, although I thought it probably
from what I could make out, that her very small and delicate frame
imparted a peculiar youthfulness to her appearance. Though more
scantily attired than she might have been she was dressed with
perfect neatness, and betrayed no marks of poverty or neglect.
'
'
'
'
Who has sent you so far by yourself?' said I.
Someone who is very kind to me, sir.'
And what have you been doing?'
That, I must not tell,' said the child firmly.
There was something in the manner of this reply which caused me to
look at the little creature with an involuntary expression of surprise;
for I wondered what kind of errand it might be that occasioned her to
be prepared for questioning. Her quick eye seemed to read my
thoughts, for as it met mine she added that there was no harm in
what she had been doing, but it was a great secret - a secret which
she did not even know herself.
This was said with no appearance of cunning or deceit, but with an
unsuspicious frankness that bore the impress of truth. She walked on
as before, growing more familiar with me as we proceeded and talking
cheerfully by the way, but she said no more about her home, beyond
remarking that we were going quite a new road and asking if it were a
short one.
While we were thus engaged, I revolved in my mind a hundred
different explanations of the riddle and rejected them every one. I
really felt ashamed to take advantage of the ingenuousness or grateful
feeling of the child for the purpose of gratifying my curiosity. I love
these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so
fresh from God, love us. As I had felt pleased at first by her confidence
I determined to deserve it, and to do credit to the nature which had
prompted her to repose it in me.
Page
Quick Jump
|