The Poor Little Rich Girl

selessly as possible. Her directions to Thomas, she half-whispered, or merely signaled them by a wave of he

e to tray, his face all concern. Occasionally, if his glance

t beside the bed, holding a small hand-whic

calm. This was the rule of the nursery. Gwendolyn, lying among the pillows

d rustled to her feet, "you may call up the Riding Sch

, ma

o out for the morning

unusual for her. She did not rise, however,

the governess, "when

ll the same to you, Miss Royle," said he, "I'll have a

gla

ey of herself in the pier-glass as she went. "Jane," she added, "you

breakfast-table. The moment the door closed behind the gov

ut breathing fast. "You ain't takin' your hours off duty a

a few times of Thomas's cold shoulder-this in heated encounters betwe

not treatin' you fair? Well," (with meaning) "I didn't think you

n't I have a gentleman frien

ressing no one in particular, "My! bu

sorrowful protest. "You

derstanding. Thus the two argued time and agai

d. "Don't you think I know that policeman's heels over head?" He shook his crumb-knif

the floor. Her reddi

looked across to where, on its shelf, was poised the toy somersaul

, Ja

l? W

man walking on hi

our sil

mouth drooping. The morning had been so peace

morning paper, dismissed Jane, and settled down in th

out more of those fat sheep straying down the azure field of the sky. She lay very still and c

nd she felt stronger. Her eyes were bright, to

s Ro

governess leaned f

homas a footman. It's 'cause he

Miss Royle. She turned

ou said he was

"Never repeat what you hear me say, love. It's tattlin

anted a dri

ve wag of the head. "What do you think I've got for you?" he a

guess. She was not intere

er dish. "It's a bird!" he an

olyn

it on either side. A ribbon of bacon lay in crisp flutings across it. I

ous!" said Thomas war

thout enthusiasm. "What kind

e of her own small fist. "Who knows?" said he. "It migh

ird," said Gwendolyn. She

y," declar

yn turn

mas, surprised. He did not take the

nt anything,"

ybe you'd f

took a gla

n could hear only disconnectedly: "...Think it would be the safest thing ... she gets any worse.... Never do, Jane ... find out

n' on so fine that you can hop up and dress," she declared, noting how the

had noth

am-white wool; and on a sleeve, as well as on the corners of the sailor

charmed forth the smile. It was a pocket, set li

They make me that po

"and we'll have this on! Let's see by t

Gwendolyn to do hastily something she had no

u good, pettie,"

m to dress,"

d banged the wardrobe door. But she did not again broach the subject of getting u

ts on her cheeks were spreading to throat and temples-to her very hair. She kept h

Gwendolyn was ill. She leaned to feel of the busy hands, t

quietin' medicine?" she as

ll gone

r differences, and

ile tires. Toy-balloons are, I know. Once I put a pin in one, and the wind blew right out. I s'pose the

mas, "we've got

next instant, with a piercing scream that sent her canary f

t! Jane! He'll

s. The little figure was all a-tremble, both sm

be good!" She hid her face a

octor would make you well. There

head. "The doctor won't hurt you," he decl

ng at the pillows as if to hide beneath them, writhin

lessly at each other, their

on't-Oh, Thomas, I'm fairly distract

fully, and by degrees, Jane approached

old doctor come here-not a bit of it. We'll ask him t

lded. "The medicine'll be

lged. She hunted a number in the telephone-directory with fumbling fingers. After which she

still as a frightened bird, Gw

, Miss Gwendolyn's a little nervous to-day, sir. Not sick enough to call you in, sir.... But I was goin' to

yesterday," prompted

Jane. "...Yes, sir, by messenger.... I'll

d shelf. And a miniature circus took place on the rug beside the bed-a circus in which each toy played a part. Gwendolyn's fear

Gwendolyn still had no appetite, but seemed almost her usual self once more. So mu

olyn. "It'll be moonlight after while, Jan

"and make up your mind to go to sleep. You've

ty?" inquired Gwendolyn. "

us

n eyed it anxiously. Thomas was gone. Jane opened the

take it now?"

erted Jane. She touched her tongue with the sp

e came a burst of instrumental music. With it, singing the word

r knees. "Oh, it's the old hand-organ man!" she cried. "It's the old

ck!" she exclaimed. Then, between her teeth, and pressing Gwe

ust this time!" begged Gwe

to the side window, threw up the sash and leaned o

!" plead

lent. The waltz slowed its temp

hat old wheeze of yours goin'?" demanded J

e to sleep," pro

rder was shrilled u

her knees at the window, and turned her head to speak. "I

olyn

arie," went on Jane. Sh

d it, to shake it about and potter in the strange liquid wit

t make faces!" grumbled Jane. Sh

e they nice ones?" She lifted the glass to take a wh

ine run up the side of the glass until it was almost to her lips. She t

to her feet and came over. "Di

, Ja

up the glass, looked into it

-ever

her with doubting eye

I d

cup, sniffed it, the

I know you did not take your medi

I did

pointed an ac

Gwendolyn. "You were loo

ead. And I seen you plain when I w

ghed Gwendoly

e there. And I seen you throw away that medicine, you

ared hard at the coiled braids on the back of Jane's head. The

d out a second dose, and proffered it. "Come, now!" she said firmly. "You ain

-bu

ill whistle sound

tly. "The policeman's right here.

olyn

e bottle and went back to the open win

rmuring to herself. "Oo-oo! H

ear another word out

t of some kind was flaming against her eyes-a light shot through

yes widened with wondermen

ing posture, threw out both arms