"Will Atty die, do you think?" she whispered in much curiosity--only
curiosity there was not a tear in her eyes. "Because then he would
never thump me any more."
Christian's very soul recoiled, and then melted into the deepest pity.
What sort of bringing up could it have been which had resulted in
feelings like these?
She took no notice of what was said, but merely desired the little girl to
bring pillows and a footstool, so that she could hold Arthur as easily as
possible till the doctor came. And then she bade her take off the
diamond bracelets and the hanging lace, and told her where to put all
this finery away, which Letitia accomplished with aptitude and
neatness.
"There, that will do. Thank you, my dear. You are a tidy little girl.
Will you come and give me a kiss."
Letitia obeyed, though with some hesitation, and then came and stood
by her step-mother, watching her intently. At last she said,
"You are crumpling your pretty white silk dress. Won't that vex you
very much?"
"Not very much--if it can not be helped."
"That is odd. I thought you liked fine clothes, and married papa that he
might give you them: Phillis said so."
"Phillis was mistaken."
More than that Christian did not answer; indeed, she hardly took in
what the child said, being fully engrossed with her charge.
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