United States or Samoa ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Coomber ever forgot that day. A new element was introduced into the lives of the fisherman's family.
A little bed had been made up for her in the family living-room, and she lay there, quiet but observant, while Mrs. Coomber went about her work cooking and cleaning and mending, and occasionally stopping to kiss the little wistful face that watched her with such quiet curiosity. "Am I in a s'ip now?" the child asked at length, when Mrs. Coomber had kissed her several times.
Dame Peters wanted her to stay and have some hot potatoes; but she was in such a hurry to be off with her prize that she wouldn't look at the potatoes." "I've got some reading," said Tiny, in a delighted whisper, holding up her sheet of paper. "Why, what's the good of that?" exclaimed Mrs. Coomber, in a disappointed tone. "Nobody at the Point can read, unless it's the Hayes' at the farm."
There was disappointment, however, in the little crowd of watchers when they saw only the brave crew returning from the perilous journey. "What, nothing!" exclaimed one of the men, as the boat drew close in shore. "Only a child, and that may be dead," shouted one of the crew. "But I think it's alive," said Coomber.
But Coomber crept round the back of the kitchen, so as to keep out of sight, took up the bottle of whisky he had brought home, and went out. He brought a jug of milk when he came back. "You can send for some more to-morrow, and as long as she wants it," he said, as he stood the jug on the table. Tiny was very ill the next day too ill to get up, or to notice what was passing around her. Mrs.
"Coomber." "Coomber!" exclaimed the old man, dropping his book in his surprise. "Why, yes; what should it be?" said the fisherman. "Didn't you tell my little Tiny that you knew her name was Coomber? But how you came to know " "Why, I never saw you before that I know of," interrupted the other, sharply; "so how do you suppose I should know your name?
You've had her about eighteen months now, so there's about thirty pounds due. You see I'm an honest man, and mean to do the just thing by her," he added. "Thirty pounds!" repeated Coomber, to whom such a sum seemed immense wealth.
"But you always liked to help daddy wind the string and mend the net before. Why don't you go to them now?" But Tiny would not move. She lay on the floor, kicking and grumbling, because Dick could not leave the net and come and see her picture. "You're a very naughty girl, Tiny," said Mrs. Coomber at last; "and I don't see how you can think God will love you if you don't try to be good."
When the tea was all ready, and the company began to arrive, Coomber fetched Tiny to sit with him, and the two had a bountiful tea, and such cake as the little girl had not tasted for a long time. But she would not eat much.
Coomber looked at Tiny, and saw how wistfully her eyes rested on a pile of cakes that stood near; and that look decided him. "Would you like to have some of it?" he said, with a faint smile. The little girl's face flushed with joy at the prospect of such a treat. "Oh, daddy! if I could only take Dick some, too," she said.
Word Of The Day