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see that all this time everything was done by the child, and that there
appeared to be no other persons but ourselves in the house. I took
advantage of a moment when she was absent to venture a hint on this
point, to which the old man replied that there were few grown persons
as trustworthy or as careful as she.
'
It always grieves me, ' I observed, roused by what I took to be his
selfishness, 'it always grieves me to contemplate the initiation of
children into the ways of life, when they are scarcely more than
infants. It checks their confidence and simplicity - two of the best
qualities that Heaven gives them - and demands that they share our
sorrows before they are capable of entering into our enjoyments.'
'It will never check hers,' said the old man looking steadily at me, 'the
springs are too deep. Besides, the children of the poor know but few
pleasures. Even the cheap delights of childhood must be bought and
paid for.
'But - forgive me for saying this - you are surely not so very poor' -
said I.
'She is not my child, sir,' returned the old man. 'Her mother was, and
she was poor. I save nothing - not a penny - though I live as you see,
but' - he laid his hand upon my arm and leant forward to whisper -
'
she shall be rich one of these days, and a fine lady. Don't you think ill
of me because I use her help. She gives it cheerfully as you see, and it
would break her heart if she knew that I suffered anybody else to do
for me what her little hands could undertake. I don't consider!' - he
cried with sudden querulousness, 'why, God knows that this one child
is there thought and object of my life, and yet he never prospers me -
no, never!'
At this juncture, the subject of our conversation again returned, and
the old men motioning to me to approach the table, broke off, and said
no more.
We had scarcely begun our repast when there was a knock at the door
by which I had entered, and Nell bursting into a hearty laugh, which I
was rejoiced to hear, for it was childlike and full of hilarity, said it was
no doubt dear old Kit coming back at last.
'
Foolish Nell!' said the old man fondling with her hair. 'She always
laughs at poor Kit.'
The child laughed again more heartily than before, I could not help
smiling from pure sympathy. The little old man took up a candle and
went to open the door. When he came back, Kit was at his heels.
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