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"But we have mainly to do with ourselves. How can we help wondering if our particular barque on the voyage of life is to be a success or not?" "It lies with ourselves whether it is or no." "But persons like Mrs. Larkum and the Blakes, how can they have a successful voyage, when they are so poor and lowly?"
Blake said, giving me one of her strong encouraging glances. "Thank you, Mrs. Blake; after that I can brave any criticism." A few days later I walked in the early afternoon to the Mill Road. Cook had prepared some special dainties for Mrs. Larkum; so with a small lunch basket on my arm I started on my errand of mercy.
"But I will share the burden with you." "No, it looks better for me to have my arms full than you; and, anyway, I want to do something to help them, and you too." I humored her fancy, only insisting on relieving her of my present for Mr. Bowen. It was the most precious package in the lot; and I feared she might drop it. When we reached the door of the Larkum cottage she halted.
"We all know that, and more'n yourself was afraid it might go hard with you." "So we have decided that it was the food and clothes that have wrought the miracle, and not any unusual healing virtues in me," I said, quite relieved; for the change wrought was so sudden and great, I began to feel uneasy lest I might be possessed unconsciously of some mysterious power. Mrs. Larkum smiled gently.
His mother drew him hastily into her bedroom and shut the door her own face pale, and almost as sorrowful as the little lad's. "You must tell them there is no danger, doctor." I followed Mrs. Larkum into her room and found that she shared Freddie's fears and grief. "There is not the slightest danger to life or health in the operation," I assured her, when her countenance began to brighten.
"I'm afraid the Larkums won't need your gifts. If they go to the poor-house, it won't be worth while giving them anything; the town'll provide." "I do not think they will go there. Mrs. Larkum will get better, after awhile." "It might do her good to hear you say; so would you mind coming over this morning to see her? I go in every day to see to them."
I had been standing at my easel a good part of the forenoon, and the satisfaction that comes from faithful work done, together with the assurance from Mrs. Larkum that my visits carried with them something better than sunshine, I trod swiftly over the frozen streets, quite content with life and its developments. I met Dr. MacKenzie on the way.
I sat watching the group, glancing now and then at Mrs. Blake's eloquent face with a good deal of satisfaction. I was anxious to break the news carefully and scarce knew how to begin, when Mrs. Larkum looked up at me eagerly and said: "Have you any news from father?" "What makes you think she has news?" Mrs. Blake asked.
Quite a long pause, and then I heard my guardian's study door which opened into the library, shut; and a second after he stood before me. I thought he gave me a surprised glance, since it was only the second time I had come into his presence there unsummoned. "May I take some of the money you gave me this morning to Mrs. Larkum, before I leave for New York?" "If you have time.
"I thought you particularly admired Beethoven's Ninth Symphony," I exclaimed, with surprise. "I do not think that crowd of amateurs will do much; although Bovyer gives them great praise. I would as soon hear that Larkum baby crowing as to hear such a masterpiece mangled." "Some passages will be well rendered, surely." "What matter, if one is all the time dreading a discord?
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