Ada Fortescue was recovering from a long and dangerous illness, and for
the last week she had been able to lie on a sofa near the window, and
see the people passing through the street as they trudged on their way
to the city. Ada was twelve years old; and as she lay on her sofa she
had many thoughts, some very serious, but most were happy and grateful.
Ada was Dr. Fortescue's only child, and her mother had been dead for
eight years. During her illness Ada had often seen how grave her father
looked, but now his thankfulness brought tears into her eyes. It was so
nice to be loved so very much, thought Ada.
To-day a very absorbing thought was in her mind, and she looked up and
down the street with more than usual interest. That morning her father
had told her that he had put aside a sum of money as a thankoffering for
her recovery, and she might choose the way in which it should be spent.
What should she do? Ada thought of the missionaries far away, of the new
church close by, of the hospital, and the orphanage.
At that moment a noise in the street attracted her attention. A man was
loudly scolding a little boy, who was crying bitterly. The boy looked
pale and tired; and Ada felt very sorry for him, so she opened the
window to hear what was the matter. The man had come out of his shop,
and was saying angrily, "Do you think I have nothing to do but give
glasses of water to every vagabond who goes by? Be off with you, and
don't stand there crying and making a crowd collect," for some of those
who were passing had paused to find out what was the matter.
Ada rang the bell and sent the maid out to the little boy, who came
thankfully for some water, only the water was nearly all milk, and there
was a bun and a piece of bread for him besides. What a happy little boy
he felt, and what a happy little girl was Ada as she met her father at
the door of her room, saying, "I know, I know! a _drinking fountain_,
father!"
At first Dr. Fortescue could not understand what she meant, but when she
explained he thought it was a very good idea.
Some months later when Ada had a bad cold and was up in her room once
more, it amused her to watch her drinking fountain, which was in the
opposite wall, and see all the people who drank at it, and she was very
glad when one day she recognized the little boy who had first put the
idea of a drinking fountain into her head. He had a roll in his hand,
and wore a nice tidy suit of clothes; and when Ada sent the maid to
inquire after him she heard that he was on the way to see his mother
with a quarter's wages in his pocket, for he had got a good place and
meant to do all he could to keep it.
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