Willie the Waif | Page 9

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 good of you, Mrs. Blair, and God will give you your reward,
you may be sure. Will you take this," slipping some money into her
hand, "and get Willie some food? He wants nourishment, poor little
fellow! I must come and see him again. I want him to be well enough to
come to the treat we are giving to the children at the mission-room.
Perhaps you would come up in the evening, and see them at play?"
"Thank you kindly, ma'am," she replied. "I'd be glad to come."
Before Miss Elton left she made Willie very happy giving him a book
of coloured pictures, telling him it was to keep him from being lonely
while Bob was at work.
CHAPTER V
THE CHRISTMAS TREAT
After Miss Elton's visit Willie found plenty to amuse himself with that
day, and he was very anxious for Bob to come home that he might tell
him the news. Mrs. Blair went out and bought some meat and other
things with the money the lady had given her, and the little fellow
feasted like a king. Some of the good things he insisted on saving for
Bob, and it was in a state of high glee that he watched his brother
eating his supper that night. The picture book was a source of great
amusement to them. Many of the pictures they recognized, having
heard the stories at the mission-room, and it seemed as though Willie
would never tire of looking at them, especially one which showed Jesus
blessing little children.
The boys looked forward with great interest to the coming treat, and
often wondered what kind of a thing it would be, for they had never
been to anything of the sort in their lives. Miss Elton kept her promise,
and came several times to see Willie, always giving Mrs. Blair
something to buy food with, so that it would not be necessary for him
to go out in the cold and wet to sell his matches.
It was a red-letter day for Bob when, once, Miss Elton happened to
come along just where he was at work. He saw her coming some time

before she recognized him, but when she stopped to speak to him he
was so excited that he scarcely knew what he was doing.
"Why, Bob," she exclaimed, "this is the first time I have seen you at
business. How beautifully clean you have made your crossing!"
Bob coloured with pleasure. It was not often that people praised him,
and he hardly knew what to make of it.
"How is my little friend Willie to-day?" she asked.
"Please'm, 'e's gittin' better now 'e don't 'ave to come an' stay out 'ere
with me," was the answer.
Bob could always find his tongue when any one asked him about
Willie.
"I'm so glad," said Miss Elton. "I want him to come to the treat."
"Yes," said Bob, "'e ants to come."
"Do you always sweep this crossing?" she inquired.
"Yes'm," was the answer. "It's best jist to stay in one place. Folks git to
know yer, yer see. I have my reg'lar ones as gives me a penny most
days. They wouldn't do that if I shifted about."
"I see," said Miss Elton. "Well I shall always look out for this crossing
now," and with a bright smile and a coin as a parting gift she went on
her way. But her heart ached for the little sweeper as she thought of the
small old-looking face above the ragged clothes, thinking too of the
numbers more