When Robin and I reached the abode of our old friend--in a state, let me
add, of almost irrepressible excitement--we found her seated in the old
arm-chair by the window, gazing sadly out on the prospect.
It was not now the prospect of red brick and water-spout, with a remote
distance of chimney--cans and cats, which had crushed the old lady's
spirit in other days--by no means. There was a picturesque little
court, with an old pump in the centre to awaken the fancy, and frequent
visits from more or less diabolical street-boys, to excite the
imagination. Beyond that there was the mews, in which a lively scene of
variance between horses and men was enacted from morning till night--a
scene which derived much additional charm from the fact that Mrs
Willis, being short-sighted, formed fearfully incorrect estimates of
men, and beasts, and things in general.
"Well, granny, how are you?" said I, seating myself on a stool beside
her, and thinking how I should begin.
"Pretty griggy--eh?" inquired little Slidder.
"Ah! there you are, my dear boys," said the old lady, who had latterly
got to look upon me and my _protege_ as brothers. "You are always sure
to come, whoever fails me."
"Has any one failed you to-day, granny?" I asked.
"Yes, Dr McTougall has," she replied as petulantly as it was possible
for her to speak. "I've been feeling very low and weak to-day, and sent
for him; but I suppose he thinks it's only imagination. Well, well,
perhaps it is," she added, after a pause, and with a little sigh. "I'm
very foolish, no doubt."
"No, granny," said I, "you're not foolish,"--("Contrariwise, wery much
the reverse," interrupted Slidder)--"and I'm glad that I chanced to come
in, because, perhaps, I may be able to prescribe for you as well as he."
"Better, dear boy, better"--("That's it, cheer up!" from Slidder)--"and
it always does me a world of good to see your handsome face."
"Well, granny," said I, with a flutter at my heart, as I looked up at
her thin careworn face, and began to break the ice with caution, "I've
come--I--there's a little piece of--of--"
"Now then, dig in the spurs, doctor, an' go at it--neck or nuffin',"
murmured my impatient companion.
"What are you saying, Robin?" asked Mrs Willis, with a slightly anxious
look. "There's nothing wrong, I hope?"
"No, no; nothing wrong, granny," said I, hastening to the point; "very
much the reverse. But--but--you heard of my accident, of course?" I
said, suddenly losing heart and beating about the bush.
"Stuck again!" murmured Slidder, in a tone of disgust.
"Yes, yes; I heard of it. You don't mean to say that you're getting
worse?" said the old lady, with increasing anxiety.
"Oh no! I'm better--much better. Indeed, I don't think I ever felt so
well in my life; and I've just heard a piece of good news, which, I'm
quite sure, will make you very glad--very glad indeed!"
"Go it, sir! Another burst like that and you'll be clear out o' the
wood," murmured Slidder.
"In fact," said I, as a sudden thought struck, "I'm going to be
married!"
"Whew! you never told _me_ that!" exclaimed Slidder, with widening eyes.
"_Will_ you be quiet, Robin?" said I, rather sternly; "how can I get
over this very difficult matter if you go on interrupting me so?"
"Mum's the word!" returned the boy, folding his hands, and assuming a
look of ridiculous solemnity.
At that moment we heard a noise of pattering feet on the landing
outside. The door, which had not been properly closed, burst open, and
my doggie came into the room all of a heap. After a brief moment lost
in apparently searching for his hind-legs, he began to dance and frisk
about the room as if all his limbs were whalebone and his spirit
quicksilver.
"Oh, there's that dog again! Put it out! put it out!" cried Mrs
Willis, gathering her old skirts around her feet.
"Get out, Dumps! how dare you come here, sir, without leave?"
"_I_ gave him leave," said a sweet voice in the passage.
Next moment a sweeter face was smiling upon me, as Edith entered the
room.
There was a feeble cry at the window. I observed that the sweet smile
vanished, and a deadly pallor overspread Edith's face, while her eyes
gazed with eager surprise at the old lady for a few seconds. Mrs
Willis sat with answering gaze and outstretched arms.
"Edie!"
"Granny!" was all that either could gasp, but there was no need for
more--the lost ones were mutually found! With an indescribable cry of
joy Edith sprang forward, fell on her knees, and enfolded granny in her
arms.
"'Ere you are, doctor," whispered Robin, touching me on the elbow and
presenting a tumbler of water.
"How? What?"
"She'll need it, doctor. I knows her well, an' it's the on'y thing as
does her good w'en she's took bad."
Slidder was right. The shock of joy was almost too much for the old
lady. She leaned heavily on her granddaughter's neck, and if I had not
caught her, both must have fallen to the ground. We lifted her gently
into bed, and in a few minutes she recovered.
For some time she lay perfectly still. Edith, reclining on the lowly
couch, rested her fair young cheek on the withered old one.
Presently Mrs Willis moved, and Edith sat up.
"John," said the former to me, looking at the latter, "this is my Edie,
thanks be to the Lord."
"Yes, granny, I know it, and she's my Edie too!"
A surprised and troubled look came on her old face. She evidently was
pained to think that I could jest at such a moment. I hastened to
relieve her.
"It is the plain and happy truth that I tell you, granny. Edith is
engaged to marry me.--Is it not so?"
I turned towards the dear girl, who silently put one of her hands in
mine.
Old Mrs Willis spoke no word, but I could see that her soul was full of
joy. I chanced to glance at Robin, and observed that that waif had
retired to the window, and was absolutely wiping his eyes, while Dumps
sat observant in the middle of the room, evidently much surprised at,
but not much pleased with, the sudden calm which had succeeded the
outburst.
"Come, Robin," said I, rising, "I think that you and I will leave them--
Good-bye, granny and Edie; I shall soon see you again."