Me and Nobbles Part 33

'Me and n.o.bbles have been talking about it. We did feel a little funny when we comed in. I was so 'fraid in this house before, but it's all quite, quite different!'

'I hope it is. I don't want you to feel that you have to creep about on tiptoe and keep out of sight. I shall like to hear your steps and voices all over the house. Isn't it strange, Bobby, that you and I should be here together? How little we thought it would come to pa.s.s!'

'I was always looking out for father,' said Bobby slowly. 'I shan't be able to do that now, acause I knows he won't be back for free years.'

'No; but you can be learning lessons as fast as you can so as to be getting ready for the time when you will be with him again. And then you'll have to write him letters, Bobby, and he will write to you.

That you could never do before!'

'No. That will be lovelly! And please Aunt Is'bel, may I ask you about Curly? He was so dreadful sorry to say good-bye, for Miss Robsart teached him on Sunday, and we talked to him always when he was on his crossing. Me and n.o.bbles is 'ticularly fond of him, and True says he could work in the garden here. You would like him; he has curly hair, and he can whistle any tune you ask for, and--and--he's very mis'able we've all gone away from him.'

'How did you come to know him?' asked Lady Isobel with interest. So Bobby plunged into the story of the rescue of n.o.bbles, and she listened to it with smiling sympathy.

'I must talk to Miss Robsart about him when she comes here. Now go to sleep like a good boy, and to-morrow morning, if it is fine, you must come with me and see the dear little cottage that Miss Robsart is going to live in.'

So Bobby gave her a hug and kiss, and, clasping n.o.bbles in his arms, laid his head upon his pillow, murmuring:

'Me and n.o.bbles is 'stremely glad to be in the house where we growed up in, and it's much better than we ever especked!'

The nursery breakfast the next morning was a very cheery one. Margot's round smiling face was a picture.

'Ah!' she said, 'there's a verse in the Bible about lines falling in pleasant places, and that is just what I feel like now. I won't deny I was getting a bit old for much housework, and as to that crowded dirty London, I only hope I shan't ever set foot in it again! And I won't deny that a house, where every penny has not to be thought of, is a very pleasant place to live in!'

We're going to see Miss Robsart's little cottage after breakfast,' said True. 'Will you come too, Margot?'

'Oh, no, I'm going to unpack you both, and settle your things in all the nice drawers and cupboards we have. Dear heart! I begin to think it was a good day that brought Master Bobby to us!'

A short time afterwards both children were walking with Lady Isobel down the road to see the cottage. Bobby eagerly pointed out to them familiar landmarks.

'That's where that horrid boy broke poor n.o.bbles! And that's our milkman's house, and there's the chestnut tree where I pick up chestnuts when they drop.'

Then Lady Isobel turned up a lane out of the high-road. A little white gate stood in the quickset hedge, which Lady Isobel opened, and there, in a pretty rustic garden, was a white-washed cottage with a thatched roof and old-fashioned cas.e.m.e.nt windows. A jasmine and rose climbed over its porch. The door was painted green, and everything looked fresh and clean. Lady Isobel unlocked the door, and Bobby and True stepped in with exclamations of delight. One sunny sitting-room on either side of the door, a tiny kitchen behind, and three bedrooms above, were all the rooms the cottage contained, but it had a sweet old kitchen garden behind, and three apple-trees were brightening the background with their snowy blossoms. It was on a hill, and the view from the front looked over a lovely expanse of b.u.t.tercup meadows, and the river beyond.

Bobby's little face looked solemn for his years as he turned and faced his aunt.

'It's a _beautiful_ place. Miss Robsart's sister will be able to paint her trees again. I fink, Aunt Is'bel, you'll be filling us too full of happiness.'

'There's just one person more who ought to be here,' said True.

'Yes, I've tolded 'bout him; and when Miss Robsart comes it will be talked about. Then we shall all be, like Margot says, a happy fam'ly.'

'A country happy family,' said True.

Lady Isobel laughed merrily.

'Did you never see this cottage before, Bobby? I believe your grandmother's coachman lived here?'

'He was a cross man,' said Bobby promptly. 'I never comed near him.

He said he couldn't bear boys, and nurse wouldn't take me to any cottages--grandmother said she wasn't to. I never comed up this lane once.'

Then they went back to the house, and Lady Isobel left them in the garden to play. In the afternoon they drove into the town with her and helped to choose a pretty invalid couch for the eldest Miss Robsart.

'I shall have it put in the window ready for her,' Lady Isobel said.

'And she can lie on it and paint her pretty pictures, Bobby.'

The days that followed were delicious ones to the children; and in due time the Miss Robsarts came down with their pretty old furniture and took possession of the cottage. The children were allowed to run backwards and forwards, and help with the move. When they were thoroughly settled in, lessons began. Lady Isobel had put aside a special room for the schoolroom; and though at first Bobby and True found it a little irksome to get into their regular hours of work again, they soon became reconciled to it.

Miss Robsart was as happy as the day was long, and as for her invalid sister, she could not express her thankfulness. She broke down when Lady Isobel went to see her.

'I never expected such bliss in this life,' she said. 'I don't know what we have done for you to do all this for us.'

But the crowning joy to Bobby and True was when Lady Isobel told them that she was going to have Curly down, and let him help old Tom in the garden.

'If he likes it, and works well, we will keep him. He is coming on a month's trial, and he will live with Tom and his wife.'

'I'm afraid we shall soon have the whole of London swooping down upon us,' said Mr. Egerton when he heard the news.

'How many more friends have you, Bobby? For I see your aunt is going to grant you every desire of your heart.'

'I haven't any more friends,' said Bobby gravely. 'You don't make many in London, but Curly ought to come, because he saved n.o.bbles' life.'

'I believe n.o.bbles is at the bottom of everything,' said his uncle; and Bobby nodded, well pleased.

'Yes, n.o.bbles is very erportant to me,' he said; 'and if Curly hadn't saved him, my heart would have broke!'

It was Sunday afternoon. Lady Isobel was sitting in the drawing-room, and the children were by her side.

'It makes me think of mother,' said True, with a little choke in her voice. 'She always used to give us Sunday lessons.'

'I want to follow her teaching, darling. I am going to keep this hour especially for you. Now, what shall we talk about this first Sunday?

Would you like to choose a Bible story?'

True looked at Bobby. He thought deeply for a minute, then he said:

'May we look at the lovely Talian Bible?

'Yes. Go to the library and bring it here. True can help you to carry it.'

Away they ran, and soon returned with the precious Book, which they placed upon a small table by her side. Then Bobby reverently and carefully turned over its pages till he came to the picture of the golden gates. He and True hung over it with admiring eyes.

'Talk to us about heaven,' said Bobby, 'because mother is there, and we love it.'

Lady Isobel did so. She read them verses of its beauty, of the white-robed throng who were singing the praises of the Lamb of G.o.d, of the tears that would be wiped away, and the darkness that would be made light, and of the happiness of all gathered there.

'I would like Curly to hear about it,' said Bobby with a sigh.

'You must tell him about it, darling.'

'I will say my tex' to him, and make him learn it, and und'stand it.'