The first fine day after Norman was allowed to go out, the laird kindly
undertook to drive him and Fanny and their mamma and granny over to old
Alec's cottage. Robby was much delighted to see the young gentleman.
Norman, instead of treating him in the haughty way he had before,
allowed himself to be led about by the little fellow, who wanted to show
him his pet lamb and birds, and a little arbour, with a seat in it,
which his grandfather had made for him.
"Robby," said Norman, taking his hand, "I know I was very naughty, and
that I treated you very ill, but if you will forgive me and let me be
your friend, I shall be very thankful. I do indeed feel ashamed of
myself."
Fanny, who overheard this was more than ever satisfied that her
brother's heart was really changed.
Robby thanked Norman, and again told him how glad he was that he had got
well, and that he would like to be his friend, and help him, and fight
for him if needs be, more than anything else.
The children spent a very happy morning, and the drive did Norman much
good.
Captain and Mrs Vallery were most anxious to show their gratitude to
old Alec and his grandson. Mrs Vallery among other things they
proposed doing, sent to the nearest town for some clothes suitable for
little Robby. Mrs Maclean drove over with them, that she might tell
her guests how their present was received. Robby opened the parcel
himself and could scarcely believe that its contents were for him. He
had never before, indeed, been so comfortably dressed. He was unable to
find words to express his pleasure, but he did his best to say how
grateful he felt for the unexpected gifts. Mrs Maclean undertook to
see that he was in future well supplied with warm clothing. The laird
likewise engaged a big lad to assist Alec in looking after his cattle
and sheep, that Robby might be sent to school; and Captain Vallery
purchased several animals, which he presented to the old man, observing
that as now he had a servant he would be able to tend a larger number
than formerly. Mrs Leslie also made him and his grandson several
useful presents. Still Norman acknowledged that for his part, he owed
them more than he could ever repay.
At length the time came when Mrs Leslie and her daughter and
son-in-law, with their children had to return South. The last visit to
old Alec and his grandson was paid. They bade farewell to the kind
laird and Mrs Maclean.
The carriage drove to the door, and the journey was begun. Among the
luggage was a mysterious package--what it contained Fanny was not
allowed to know, and if she was curious about it, she so far restrained
her curiosity as not to ask questions. Norman, however, seemed to be
acquainted with its contents, and lifting up the thick covering placed
over it, he was seen to pour in water and seeds from a little parcel of
which his papa had charge.
The railway was soon reached, and while at the station, Norman kept
strict watch over the mysterious package.
The party spent only one day in Edinburgh when the package was carried
at once into Captain Vallery's room.
During the journey from Edinburgh to London, it was placed under charge
of the guard, who promised faithfully that no harm should befall it.
How happy Fanny felt, when at length they reached their dear old home
with granny quite well, in spite of the fatigue she had undergone, and
Norman not only recovered, but evidently so very different to what he
had been before. One of his first acts was to run up to Susan to tell
her that he hoped she would find him a good boy. Trusty, who came out
barking with delight, sprang up to lick the hand of everybody else, but
carefully avoided Norman. Norman, however, called to him in a gentle
voice, and when he came up patted his head and stroked his back, and
Trusty wagged his tail as much as to say, "I am glad you are not afraid
of me, and I hope we shall be good friends in future." Such they
became, and many a romp had Trusty with the young gentleman.
Fanny on going to her room, found Nancy in her doll's house ready to
welcome her, and turning round what should she see but Miss Lucy,
looking bright and fresh, with a low frock such as she wore when she
first arrived. There were no marks on her neck, no disfiguring blotches
on her face. If she was not the original Miss Lucy, she was so exactly
like her that she must be, Fanny thought, her twin sister.
"Oh how very kind," exclaimed Fanny, "I need have no fear now of leaving
Miss Lucy by herself either in the drawing-room or elsewhere."
After talking to her for some time, and introducing her to Nancy she ran
downstairs, eager to thank her papa and mamma and granny, or whoever had
obtained a new Miss Lucy for her.
No one was in the drawing-room, but a minute afterwards Norman came in,
carrying in his hand a gaily-painted bird-cage, with a beautiful little
bird inside. The bird-cage was exactly the size of the mysterious
package.
"There, dear Fanny," he said, "we have brought it all the way from Glen
Tulloch. I bought it with some money which papa gave me to do what I
liked with. But I was afraid it might die on the journey, so I did not
like to offer it you till arrived safely here. Will you take it, dear
Fanny, and call it Pecksy? I hope it will be a happier little Pecksy
than the last."
For a moment Norman hung down his head, and then he looked up with a
beaming smile as Fanny kissed him, and thanked him again and again for
his gift.
Norman then begged Fanny to come up to her room, and he there pointed
out a hook which had been placed in the wall on which she might hang her
bird-cage and reach it without difficulty, though too far off the ground
for Trusty to frighten it, or for Kitty, the cat, even by exerting her
utmost agility to reach it.
Fanny thought herself the happiest little girl in existence.
She showed Norman the new Miss Lucy, whose appearance astonished him
even more than it had Fanny.
Norman spent some happy weeks at home, and Mrs Norton expressed herself
much pleased at the progress he made. The time then came for him to go
to school, and after he had been there for some time, the master wrote
word that he was among the most attentive and obedient of his pupils,
and that he had not a word of complaint to make of him. All his friends
felt very happy on receiving this information, and Fanny looked forward
with delight for his return home for the holidays.
He maintained his character, and though it cannot be said he has no
faults, he undoubtedly does his best to overcome them, and I shall be
very glad if all the young readers of this tale, will endeavour to do
the same--trusting to the same help which he sought and obtained.