Willie the Waif | Page 8

had been too ill to go out with him in the morning, and he wanted to go straight home; he thought Willie would be so lonely.
But Willie would not hear of it. "No, Bob," he said; "go an' see my pretty lady, so's yer can tell me wot she says when yer come 'ome."
Miss. Elton saw him come in at the door, and quickly missed her little favourite.
"Why, Bob," she said, "where's Willie?"
"Please'm," he answered, "'e ain't well. 'E couldn't come out with me to-day."
"Poor little chap!" said the lady kindly. "I hope he isn't very bad. I must come and see him. Do you think he would like me to?"
"I should jist think 'e would," answered Bob.
"Very well, then, you must tell me the way, and I will come to-morrow."
Bob did so as clearly as he could, then went to his seat. But it was very little that he heard of the address that evening, for his head was so full of the visit that was to be paid that he couldn't take in anything else.
Directly the meeting was over he flew off as fast as his legs could carry him.
"Willie, Willie!" he burst out, as soon as he got into the room. "Guess wot I've got to tell yer!
"Can't," said Willie. "Do tell me, Bob."
"Some one's comin' to see yer to-morrer."
"To see me!" repeated Willie. "Who, Bob?"
"Who should it be," said Bob, "but yer lady!"
"Truth, Bob? Do yer mean it?" for it seemed almost too good to be true. "My pretty lady!"
"Yes," said Bob. "Ain't it prime? I know'd yer'd be glad."
Mrs. Blair was almost as excited as the children themselves, at the idea of the visitor, and she declared she would have to be up an hour earlier, in order to be ready for the lady.
The next morning Willie very much wanted his brother to stay at home with him to see the lady, but Bob knew he must not do that.
"It won't do to lose a day now, Willie," he said. "I must go an' earn some money, else wot'll we do?" And with a brave face he shouldered his broom and marched off.
True to her promise, Miss Elton found her way that morning to Mrs. Blair's. She had some difficulty in following Bob's directions, for they were not very clear. But she arrived there at lasts and found Willie eagerly watching for her at the window.
"Why, Willie, my little man," she said, "you didn't come to see me last night."
"No," said Willie, with glistening eyes. "I 'ain't been well; but---but," hesitatingly, "I'm glad you've come to see me."
[Miss Elton sat down, and drew the boy to her side.] She thought what a frail little fellow he looked, with his flushed cheeks and shining eyes. She talked to him for some time about himself and his brother, and then she said---"Now, Willie, I want you to make haste and get well. Do you know why?"
Willie shook his head.
"Well," she said, "Christmas will be here in two weeks' time. Do you know what Christmas is?"
"No," said Willie, "I 'ain't ever see'd one."
Miss Elton smiled.
"You know who Jesus is?" she asked.
"Yes" said Willie. "We talks to 'im every mornin' an' night, Bob an' me; an' we're tryin' to be good."
"That's right," said Miss Elton. "Well, Jesus used to live down here on the earth once, and we called the day He came Christmas Day. So Christmas Day was His birthday. You know how He loves little children, and wants them to be happy, and we want to make them happy too. So what do you think we are going to do?"
"Dunno," said Willie.
"We are going to give the children a treat at the mission-room. We want you all to come and have tea there, and some nice games afterwards; but I'm not going to tell you everything, because I want to surprise you. That is why I want you to get well."
"Can Bob come too?" he asked.
"Of course; we must have Bob," she answered. "We couldn't get on without him."
For Some moments Willie stood looking at her as though he wanted to say something. Miss Elton waited for him to speak. At last she said gently: "Well, dear, what is it?
"I wish----" he hesitated. "I wish you'd sing."
"Would you like me to?" she asked, smiling. "What shall I sing?"
"'Bout 'Suffer little children.'"
During the singing Mrs. Blair came into the room. Miss Elton spoke to her very kindly for minutes, and asked some questions about Willie, thanking her for what she had done for the children.
"Lor', ma'am," she said, "who could help it; such children as they are? It's wonderful the way that boy looks after the little chap; and as for the little one, why, with his angel-face and pretty ways he'd get round the hardest woman."
"It's very