Part 19 (1/2)

Mother Meg Catharine Shaw 19660K 2022-07-22

”Mother, did I dream it, or did some one say that Jem was dead?”

”It was a mistake,” answered Mrs. Seymour, ”a cruel carelessness. It was a man of the name of Seymour, who lives, we find, in the second house up the court, and people sent them here. 'Twas a cruel thing to say it out like that!”

Meg asked no more, and before long she heard Jem's step coming up the stairs and entering the room.

He came softly to her bedside, and then, as if he could no longer bear it, he threw himself on his knees and wept bitterly.

Meg put out her hand and touched his head.

”Jem dear?” she questioned; while Mrs. Seymour laid a firm hand on his arm, and said gravely--

”Don't give way so, my son, or you'll worry her.”

But Jem was wholly overcome.

”It might ha' been ours, it might ha' been ours!” he said, over and over again, till Mrs. Seymour was quite beside herself.

”Tell me, Jem,” said Meg gently. ”Have you found d.i.c.kie?”

He nodded.

”Was he being hurt?” she asked again.

He nodded again.

”How?”

Jem s.h.i.+vered.

”_How_ I shall never tell to mortal being!” he exclaimed; ”but it was something they are doing to his eyes.”

”His eyes?” said Meg, leaning up. ”Oh, Jem, do tell me quick!”

”To make them bad, to get more money by begging,” said Jem, as if the words were forced from him; ”and his father's dying in the hospital, and he'll be left to their mercy!”

”Can't you fetch him here?” asked Meg.

Jem looked up.

”Meg! could we--now? You and me was talkin' of it this mornin'. They'll be orphans to-morrow.”

Meg smiled a weak sweet smile as she looked towards the cot.

”Bring him if you can,” she answered, ”and Cherry too.”

Mrs. Seymour could hardly follow the course of their thoughts, for she knew so little of what had gone before, and when Jem rose up and left the house for the second time, she was too astonished to protest.

This time he was gone longer than before, and Meg ate what her mother brought, and dozed quietly.

After some time his step was again heard, and he came quickly up.