The Little Girl Next Door by Nina Rhoades ~ Full Audiobook
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CHAPTER ONE OF THE LITTLE GIRL NEXT DOOR GETTING ACQUAINTED RAIN, RAIN, RAIN! Oh dear, I'm so tired of looking at rain! I guess God has forgotten all about that promise he made after the flood was over. Gladys's voice sounded decidedly fretful, and the little face flattened against the windowpane was a very disconsolate one indeed. Sarah looked up from her sewing.

"'It is very wrong to speak in that way about things in the Bible, Miss Gladys.' Sarah spoke reprovingly, and the discontented expression on Gladys' face deepened. "'I don't care if it is wrong. I shall say it if I want to. I know there is going to be another flood this spring. Papa said so himself the other day.' Sarah made no remark, but stitched away in silence."

Gladys drummed with her fingers on the window glass and looked out at the steadily pouring rain. After a minute or two, she began again. "'I don't see why I've got to stay in the house anyway, even if it does rain. Everybody else is out. I just saw two little girls not any bigger than me on the opposite side of the street, and they looked as if they were having an awfully nice time. If Papa were at home, I know he'd let me go out.'

"'Well, your papa isn't at home, and while he's away it's my business to take care of you and see that you don't get sick. You'll not go out in this poor, I can tell you, not if it lasts a week, so there's no use in your talking any more about it. I should think you'd be ashamed to be so discontented. I don't believe there's another little girl in New York who has as many beautiful things to amuse herself as you have, and yet you're never satisfied.'

Gladys' eyes wandered from the window round the pretty, luxurious room to the baby house, the cooking stove, the phonograph, the toy theater, and the bookcase filled with delightful storybooks. Her conscience gave her a little uncomfortable twinge. It was quite true. As Sarah said, there were not many little girls who had such nurseries. But in a moment, the discontented expression crept back into her face again.

After all, Sarah did not understand. "'I can't see much use in having toys and things if I haven't got anyone to play with me,' she said in the same fretful tone as before. "'I wish Papa would let me go to school.' Sarah smiled a rather provoking little smile and bit off her thread with a snap. "'I wonder how long you'd like going to school. All school teachers ain't as nice and easygoing as Miss May, I can tell you.'

Gladys blushed and her eyes drooped. Her conscience gave her another uncomfortable little twinge, and in order to change the subject, she said rather hurriedly, "'Well, if I went to school, I'd know other little girls and they could come and play with me and we could have nice times together.' Sarah sniffed. "'Not unless you treated them more politely than you did the little Anderson children the day they came to play with you.' Gladys's lip began to quiver and the tears came into her eyes."

"'Now, Sarah,'

She began in a voice that was not quite steady. "'You know very well that wasn't my fault. How could I let them change my dolls' names and pretend Mrs. Edgerton and Aunt Susie were little girls and put long clothes on Alexis Edgerton to play he was a baby? I didn't mean to be rude, Sarah. You know I didn't. But my dolls are a family and I couldn't have all their names changed. Those girls didn't know how to play at all.'

Sarah rose and began folding up her work. "'Well?' she said indifferently. "'You really are without exception the queerest child I ever did see. A doll's a doll, and what possible difference it can make whether you call it by one name one day and another name the next is more than I can understand. Now I'm going down to the laundry to press out my new dress. Mind you, don't get into any mischief while I'm gone. I shan't be long.'

Sarah left the room, but Gladys didn't move from the low chair by the window. Only, she no longer looked out at the falling rain. There was a big lump in her throat, and she had to wink hard to keep back the tears. She felt very lonely and very unhappy. Sarah did not mean to be really unkind, but she never could understand about things. Make-believes were never of any consequence to her.

Gladys wondered how things would have been if her mama had not gone away to heaven when she was a tiny baby, and if she had had brothers and sisters to play with. Oh dear, if it would only stop raining, if something interesting would only happen. It was the fourth rainy day that week, and it was scarcely surprising that the little girl was beginning to find life indoors decidedly monotonous. She got up and wandered aimlessly about the room,

Now looking at one toy, now at another. She paused before the bookcase with the idea of finding something to read, but she had read that day until her eyes hurt her, and besides, she was sure she had read every book in that bookcase at least three times over. She must ask Papa to buy her some new ones. She turned away listlessly and went on into the back room, which was also hers and where she and Sarah slept.

This room, too, was furnished with every comfort and luxury that heart could wish. Gladys walked to the back window, pushed aside the lace curtains, and stood looking out with a very faint hope of finding something to interest her. The view from the back windows, however, was even less interesting than that from the front. There was nothing to be seen but yards, dripping fences and other people's back windows,

She was just turning away again, with a rather impatient sigh, when her attention was attracted by something she had not noticed before. The house next door had a large extension, one of the windows of which was almost on a line with the one at which Gladys was standing. And there, sitting at that very window, looking straight at her, Gladys saw a little girl of about her own age.

she was a very pretty little girl with big blue eyes and long light curls and she was sitting in the low rocker with her hands folded in her lap gladys was sure she had never seen the little girl before but that was not surprising for the house next door was a boarding-house and the people there were constantly coming and going

Sarah was apt to rather look down upon the boarding-house, and to remark that she believed Mr. Wentworth would soon have to move into a more aristocratic neighborhood, but these remarks had never made any impression on Gladys. Indeed, it was not often that she thought about the next-door neighbors at all, and as she very seldom looked out of the back windows, she was not likely to know much about them.

But now she found herself suddenly interested in this strange little girl, and she found herself thinking how very pleasant it would be if they could get acquainted, and if this strange child could come in and play with her. Sarah would probably object. Sarah always did make such a fuss about her playing with any children whose parents did not live in big houses and keep a good many servants. But then Papa and Sarah did not always agree on such matters.

The little girl certainly had a very sweet face, and she was smiling, too, with a bright, pleasant smile. Almost involuntarily, Gladys smiled herself and nodded her head. But to her surprise, the child did not appear to notice the friendly overture. She was looking straight at Gladys, and yet somehow she did not act as if she saw her at all. "'What can she be thinking about?' said Gladys, speaking out loud in her surprise."

"'She looks as if it must be something very pleasant, but she won't notice me.' Gladys nodded and smiled again, in an even more friendly manner than before, but with no better result. The little girl next door still appeared quite unconscious of her existence. "'There must be something queer the matter with her,' said Gladys, more and more bewildered. "'Perhaps her mother or her nurse have told her she mustn't smile at people she doesn't know, but I think she's very rude.'

"'She does look awfully pleasant, though. "'I don't believe she means to be impolite. "'I'll open the window and see if I can't make her speak to me.' "'No sooner said than done.' "'Gladys threw up the window sash, "'and leaning as far out over the sill as she could, "'regardless of the rain that splashed in her face, "'called at the top of her shrill little voice, "'Little girl, little girl next door, I want to speak to you.'

If the strange child could not see, she certainly heard, for Gladys saw her lean forward in a listening attitude, a puzzled expression on the sweet little face. Gladys' heart began to beat fast with excitement. "'Little girl,' she repeated. "'Little girl, open your window. I want to speak to you.' This time there was no doubt that the child next door heard and understood. She rose quickly from her chair and shoved up the window."

"'Did anyone call me?' she asked in a clear musical little voice. The blue eyes were still staring straight into Gladys's flushed, eager face. "'Yes, I did,' said Gladys promptly. "'I want to ask you why you wouldn't smile at me. I've been smiling at you and nodding my head, and you've been looking straight at me all the time, but you wouldn't smile back.' The color rose suddenly in the other child's pale little face."

"'I can't see,' she said. "'I can't see anything at all. I didn't know there was anyone looking at me.' "'Oh,' gasped Gladys, her own eyes growing big and round with surprise. "'Do you—do you mean that you're blind?' The stranger nodded. "'I have always been blind,' she said. "'I'm sorry I didn't know you were looking at me. You must have thought I was very rude.'

"'Oh, no, no,' said Gladys eagerly. "'I didn't mind a bit. But—but are you really and truly blind? You don't seem a bit like the blind people I've seen in the street. You've got such nice eyes. They look just as if they saw things.' The little girl next door flushed again, but it was unmistakably a flush of pleasure, for her smile was very bright. "'I'm so glad,' she said with evident satisfaction.

"'I know my eyes look all right, and people who don't know me often think I see. I don't, though, not one single bit. I never have seen since I was born.' Gladys's tender little heart was touched. Not that there was anything specially sad about the appearance of the child, who looked the embodiment of smiling content, still to be blind, to be always in the dark. Gladys could not help a little shudder at the thought.'

"'I wish you'd come over here and play with me,' she said impulsively. "'I've got lots of nice things to play with, and I'm awfully lonely all by myself. It's only next door, you know. You couldn't get wet going such a little way.' The little girl shook her head resolutely, though Gladys felt sure she looked as if she would like to say yes. "'I'd like to come,' she said a little wistfully, but I couldn't. There isn't anyone to bring me, and I can't go out by myself.'

"'Couldn't your nurse bring you?' Gladys suggested. "'I'd ask my nurse to go in for you, but she's so cross and fussy, I'm afraid she wouldn't do it.' The little girl next door laughed outright. "'You must excuse me,' she said, recovering her gravity with an effort. "'But it did seem so funny to think of my having a nurse. Why, I'm almost eleven.' "'Well, I shall be ten next month,' said Gladys. "'And I have a nurse.'

"'I know lots of people older than I am who have them, too. But if you haven't any nurse, couldn't your mother bring you?' A shadow flitted across the child's bright face. "'I haven't any mother, either,' she said sadly. "'She died when I was a baby.' "'Why, so did mine!' exclaimed Gladys, quite struck by the coincidence. "'But I've got a papa,' she added. "'You've got a father, haven't you? And brothers and sisters, perhaps?'

The stranger shook her head. "'My father is dead, too,' she said, her lip beginning to quiver. "'He died three years ago, and I haven't any brothers, but—' With a sudden brightening face. "'I've got a sister, the very best sister in the whole world. She takes care of me, and we do have lovely times together.' Gladys felt her interest in this new acquaintance deepening every moment.

She leaned her elbows on the windowsill and prepared for a comfortable chat. Fortunately, the rain had for the moment ceased, and the spring afternoon was not cold. "'Well, can't your sister bring you over to play with me then?' she persisted. "'I know you'd like to hear my phonograph and feel all the things in the baby house. You could feel them, you know, even if you couldn't see them. And I haven't had anyone to play with me for ever so long.'"

"'My sister would bring me if she could,' said the little girl. "'But you see she's out. She won't be at home before six. She never is.' "'And who takes care of you when she isn't there?' Gladys inquired with growing curiosity. "'Nobody. I take care of myself.' "'But how can you when you're bly—I mean, when you can't see things?' The child laughed again. "'I don't need to see to find my way around the house.'

"'I go down to luncheon by myself every day, and the rest of the time I just stay here. But don't you ever go out to walk or drive?' "'Oh, yes, my sister takes me out every Sunday. In the mornings we go to church, and in the afternoons we have beautiful long walks. Sometimes we go for rides in the electric cars, too. Oh, we have beautiful times on Sundays.' "'And all the other days you just stay in the house alone by yourself?' The stranger nodded.'

Gladys thought of her crossness and discontent just because Sarah had kept her in the house on a rainy day and conscience gave her a sharper twinge than it had given her before that afternoon.

She had no time to ask any more questions, however, for at that very moment the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps fell upon her ears, and Sarah's voice, sharp with indignation, exclaimed, "'Miss Gladys, Miss Gladys, what in the world are you doing? Standing by an open window in all this dampness, I declare, it does seem as if I couldn't turn my back for five minutes without your getting into mischief of some kind.'

And before Gladys could utter a word of protest or explanation, Sarah had pounced upon her, swept her away from the open window, and pulled down the sash with a bang. "'Wait just one minute, Sarah, please. I'm talking to a little blind girl next door, and I want to say goodbye.' And Gladys struggled wildly to open the window again, but Sarah was both strong and determined."

"'You really ought to be ashamed of yourself, Miss Gladys,' she grumbled, jerking the child back into the room with no very gentle hands. "'To think of a big girl like you screaming out of the window, talking to strange common children that you know nothing about. I heard voices when I was in the laundry, but I thought it was only some children playing in one of the yards. No, you needn't try to open that window again, for I shan't let you do it.'

But she wasn't a common child, persisted Gladys, beginning to cry. She was a very nice little girl, and she's blind, too. She told me she couldn't see a single thing. And she hasn't any father or mother, only a sister who goes out and leaves her alone all day. Oh, Sarah, please let me just say goodbye to her.

"'You shall do nothing of the kind,' said Sarah firmly. "'I know all about that blind child. "'One of the girls next door knows our cook, "'and she was telling us about her the other evening. "'They must be very common people, "'not fit for you to associate with. "'For the sister's a shop girl or typewriter "'or something of that sort, "'and they have the smallest room in the house.'

I wonder what Mrs. Graham would have said if Violet or Daisy had wanted to get acquainted with such people, but I'm sure neither of them would ever have thought of such a thing. Gladys gave an impatient sigh and submitted to the inevitable. When Sarah began on the subject of the Graham children's perfections, there was never the least use in arguing any point with her. Violet and Daisy Graham were the two little girls to whom Sarah had been nursed before she came to the Wentworths.

Gladys had never met any member of the Graham family, but she knew them all from Sarah's descriptions, and if there was one thing above all others for which the child felt devoutly thankful, that thing was that she had not been born a Graham. Gladys sulked for the rest of the afternoon and cried a little when Sarah was not looking.

even when sarah having finished her sewing proposed to play a game of lotto with her she received the request in stony silence whereupon sarah lost her temper again and the afternoon was altogether a most uncomfortable one a pleasant surprise came however just as gladys was finishing her solitary supper

this was a telegram from mr wentworth who had been away on business for several days stating that he was coming home that evening and expected to arrive at about nine o'clock gladys was delighted but sarah sighed i suppose you'll have to stay up till he comes she said disapprovingly

But these late hours are terribly bad for children. Violet and Daisy Graham were always in bed and asleep by eight o'clock. Mrs. Graham said sitting up late spoiled their tempers and their digestions. Sit up, said Gladys scornfully. Of course I shall sit up, and I shall ask Papa the very first thing when he comes in, if I can't go in next door to see that little blind girl tomorrow. End of chapter

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CHAPTER TWO JOY

When Sarah had appeared so suddenly on the scene and swept Gladys away from the open window, the little blind girl next door had remained standing for a moment, her head still turned in a listening attitude. But at the sound of the maid's sharp voice and the sudden closing of the window, she had drawn back hastily and having closed her own window, had once more seated herself in the low rocker where Gladys had first seen her.

There was a bright color in her cheeks and for a few moments her happy face was clouded. "I hope she won't be scolded," she said half aloud. "She was so kind and I did like talking to her so much. I'm glad I haven't any nurse, if that was her nurse who came to the window." She sat quite still for the next five minutes, her hands folded in her lap, and the happy contented look came back into her face.

The little clock on the mantel struck four, and with a joyful exclamation the child sprang to her feet. "'Four o'clock!' she cried. "'Now I can read until Aggie comes home.' She walked quickly across the room to the closet. It was quite true as she had told Gladys. She could find her way about as easily as any seeing person, and taking from the shelf a large clumsy-looking volume, returned with it to her seat by the window and spread it open on her lap.

it was a very odd-looking book indeed for instead of having printed letters in it it was filled with queer little dots all of which represented letters or word signs and were sufficiently raised from the page as to be easily distinguished by the fingers

The queer puzzling dot combinations were no mystery to the blind child, and her fingers were soon flying over the embossed page, with almost as much ease and rapidity as the eyes of an ordinary child would fly over a page of common print. For some time the little girl read on in happy oblivion to all around her. Sometimes she paused for a moment to smile over something that evidently pleased her, and once or twice she laughed outright.

she was roused at last by the sudden opening of a room door and the sound of a sweet clear voice saying cheerily and what has my little joy been doing all this wet day by herself down went the big book and up sprang the child with a cry of delight next moment her arms were around the newcomer's neck and she was kissing her rapturously

"'Oh, Aggie, what a lovely surprise! Why, it's only a little after five. I hadn't even begun to expect you yet.' And, passing her hand over her sister's waterproof, "'You're not a bit wet. Has it stopped raining?' "'No, indeed, but I've had a bit of good luck this afternoon. Mrs. Winthrop's niece came to see her, and when she was leaving she said she would drive me home in her carriage. Wasn't it good of her?'

It was very early, but Mrs. Winthrop said I might go. "'And you really had a drive all the way home,' said Joy, clapping her hands. "'And all day I've been thinking of you coming home in one of those horrid cars full of wet people. That just shows how silly it is to worry about things before they happen, doesn't it? Now take off your things and come and sit down. I've got something real interesting to tell you.' The elder sister smiled, then glanced rather anxiously about the room.

"'Any parcel come for me today, Joy?' Joy laughed and clapped her hands again. "'No, indeed. I know what you're thinking about, but it won't come back this time. I know it won't.' Agnes tried to laugh as she kissed the little eager face, but she stifled a sigh nevertheless. "'We won't despair till it does come anyway, will we, dear?' she said. "'This publisher has kept it so much longer than any of the others that I am really beginning to hope a little myself.'

Then she turned away to take off the shabby old waterproof and the hat that was seeing its third year of service. She was sometimes almost glad that Joy could not see how very shabby that hat was growing. Joy was always so fond of hearing about pretty clothes. "And now, my pet, tell me all about that interesting thing."

agnes had drawn up a chair to her little sister's side and taken joy's hand in hers they were very much alike those two although agnes was twenty-one and joy not even eleven joy laughed her happy affectionate little laugh and gave her sister's hand a loving squeeze yes i will but first i must begin at the beginning and tell you all about the day

Well, when you first left this morning, I made the bed and dusted the room as I always do, and watered my dear little geranium. There are three new buds on it, isn't that nice? I was so pleased when I found them that I just danced. Then I studied my history real hard for ever so long. It was quite interesting too, all about Cromwell and the Commonwealth.

Well, then it was pretty near lunchtime, so I washed my hands and brushed my hair, and as soon as the clock struck one I went downstairs. Lunch was very good today, there was a nice cold lamb and preserved plums. Mrs. Smith scolded and said the meat was tough, but nobody ever minds her. They were all very kind to me, and Mrs. Porter asked me questions about my books and said she would take me for a walk in Central Park someday when she wasn't too busy.

Mrs. Smith wanted to know why you didn't send me to a blind school, and I told her it was because we couldn't either of us get on without the other, and that you taught me every evening. After lunch I came back here and did a little knitting. Then I played imaginary people come to call on me. First Miss Latimer came. You remember I told you about her. She is the very pretty young lady who goes to so many parties.

and then Estelle Durant, and I made believe I gave them afternoon tea and little cream cakes with chocolate icing on them, and they told me about all the nice times they've been having. I was just in the middle of it and was really enjoying it very much when the interesting thing happened. All at once I heard someone calling out quite loud, "'Little girl, little girl next door, open your window, I want to speak to you.'

I felt sure it must mean me, so I jumped up and opened my window. And sure enough, it was that little girl who lives next door. Don't you remember you told me about her last Sunday when we were coming in from church? And she was on her front steps with a gentleman? You said she had such nice soft hair, you were sure I would like to feel it. She had been nodding and smiling at me, and when I wouldn't smile back she wanted to find out the reason why. So she opened her window and called out.

Of course I explained things, and then she asked me to come over and play with her. I told her I couldn't go out by myself, and she wanted to know why my nurse couldn't bring me. I thought that was very funny, and I told her how old I was. But she didn't seem to think that made any difference and said she knew people who were just as old as I am and have nurses just the same. She is nearly 10 and she has one, but she hasn't any mother, only a father.

I was telling her about you and was just going to ask her her name. When someone came to the window, I think it must have been her nurse, and scolded her for standing in the dampness. Then they both went away and shut the window, and I was so sorry, for I did want to find out what the little girl's name was. And was that all the adventure? Agnes asked, a little disappointed perhaps. Yes, that was all, but it was really quite interesting, don't you think so?

Very soon after that it was four o'clock, and I knew I could read Little Lord Fauntleroy till you came home. I had been looking forward to that all day, for I knew I could have a good long read. You know I am trying to make the story last just as long as I can, so I only allow myself to read twelve pages a day.

But yesterday, just as I was beginning to read, Miss Scott came in and she stayed so long that I only had time to read three pages before you came in, and that left twenty-one for today." Agnes stifled another sigh and her fingers tightened lovingly over the little hand. "How you do love reading, don't you, Joy?" she said softly. "Better than almost anything else in the world, especially reading with my fingers."

if i could only buy you more books the elder sister said with a rather wistful glance around the small shabbily furnished room that is one reason i shall be so very happy if the publishers ever do take my book it will be lovely when they do take it said joy enthusiastically

you mustn't keep all the money for me you must buy lots of pretty clothes for yourself and oh aggie do you suppose there would be enough left to pay for our going away to the country this summer that would be so beautiful wouldn't it there must be money enough to pay for that whatever happens said agnes her face growing suddenly grave and troubled i can't keep you in the hot city all summer again you will be ill as you were last year

"Oh, no, I won't," said Joy brightly. "It will be lovely to go to the country if we can afford it, but if we can't, why, it won't matter. We can go to the park sometimes and I can smell the flowers and hear the birds. That will be almost as good as the real country." There was a short pause. Joy nestled her head comfortably on her sister's shoulder, and Agnes slipped an arm around the little figure. Joy was the first to speak.

"Aggie," she said abruptly, as though struck by a new idea. "Haven't we got any relations?" The elder sister gave a slight start. "Relations? Why, no, dear, I don't think we have. That is, none nearer than second cousins. There is Cousin Julia Randolph. You remember her, don't you?" "Oh, yes, she was very kind to us when Papa died, and it was some friend of hers who knew Mrs. Winthrop and told her about you."

but i wasn't thinking about papa's people i know he hadn't any near relations i was wondering if mamma hadn't any what put that idea into your head agnes inquired in some surprise it was something they said at lunch to-day miss scott and mrs oakley were talking about it

The color that Joy could not see rose in Agnes' cheeks, and she bit her lip with annoyance. But her voice was sweet and tender as it always was when she spoke to her little blind sister. "What were they saying?"

"Well, Mrs. Oakley, you know she hasn't been here very long, and I think she must be a rather curious person, asked Miss Scott who took care of me when you were out, and when she said I took care of myself, Mrs. Oakley asked if we hadn't any other relations. Then Miss Scott told her all about us, how we used to live in the South and were rich until Papa died and all the money was lost.

Mrs. Oakley said you didn't talk like most Southerners, and Miss Scott said she believed our mother came from the North. Then Mrs. Oakley asked what our mother's name was before she was married, because she said I looked something like a lady she knew long ago. And Miss Scott said she didn't know that, but she was sure anyone could see we came of a good family. And... and that was all, except that Mrs. Smith...

who had been listening all the time, said it seemed rather queer that we shouldn't have any relations at all. She laughed in that funny way she does sometimes, and somehow it made me a little uncomfortable. And as I had finished my lunch, I came upstairs. But I couldn't help wondering whether we really did have any relations or not. Agnes was twisting one of Joy's long curls around her fingers. She was silent for a moment. Then she said slowly,

I will tell you all I know about Mama's people, Joy, but that isn't very much. You know, I was only 11 when she died, and I never heard Papa mention her family. But I remember that once when I was quite a little girl, she told me that her mother had died before she left home, and that she had never had any brothers or sisters. She was very, very fond of her father, and he was devoted to her until...

until she did something that made him very angry, and after that he would never see her or speak to her again. It nearly broke her heart, but he was very firm and very obstinate. And so, though she knew he loved her all the time, he would never forgive her, and even sent her letters back unopened. Joy was leaning forward now, drinking in every word of her sister's story with almost breathless interest.

"He must have been very cruel and very wicked," she said in a tone of conviction, "to treat his own daughter like that. But what had Mama done that he couldn't ever forgive?" Agnes hesitated. "Mama never told me exactly, but I think… indeed, I am almost sure, he didn't like Papa." "Not like Papa? Oh, Aggie, how could that be? Papa was so good. Everybody loved him."

"Well, you see, dear, Papa was a southerner and Mama's father hated the South. It was not very long after the war then and people felt much more strongly on these subjects than they do now. Our grandfather had lost his only brother in the war. He died in a southern prison. Papa had fought in the war too, you know, but on the other side. It was all very sad." Joy was silent for a moment, then she said,

It was all very dreadful, but if Mama had only lived, I am sure her father would have forgiven her at last, and everything would have been all right. I wonder if he is alive now, and if he would like to know us. I don't know, I'm sure, said Agnes, smiling. He must be an old man now. He may be dead. I wish we could find him, said Joy thoughtfully. Why, my pet?

"Because I'm afraid he must be very lonely. You said he hadn't any other children except Mama, and perhaps most of his old friends are dead by this time. Then I think he must be very unhappy when he remembers how cruel and unkind he was." "You dear little tender-hearted girl," said Agnes, kissing her, "I believe that you would make the whole world happy if you could. But there is the clock striking six, and I must hurry and dress, or I shall be late for dinner."

Joy was unusually thoughtful that evening. She had very little to say at dinner, and even later when they had gone back to their room, and she had recited her history lesson, and worked out some examples in arithmetic, with Agnes's help, she had still very little to say. No further allusion however was made to the subject of the afternoon until Joy was in bed,

And then, just as the elder sister was sitting down to do a little necessary mending before retiring herself, the child suddenly lifted her head from the pillow and inquired, "Aggie, what was Mama's name before she was married?" Agnes looked up with a start of surprise. "Still thinking about that?" said Agnes, laughing. "It seems a very strange thing to say, I suppose, but really, Joy, I don't know."

You see, I was such a little girl when Mama died that she had never happened to mention it to me. And I always had a feeling that it was something Papa didn't like talking about, so I never asked him. I sometimes wish I had asked, though, for it seems so queer when people ask me not to be able to tell them my own grandfather's name." Joy gave a little sigh. "I don't suppose we could possibly find him then," she said.

Agnes's eyes flashed and her sweet face was a little hard as she answered. "I don't know that I should care to find him. He treated Mama and Papa very cruelly." "Yes, Aggie, I know. But you know you said Mama was sure he loved her all the time and I know he must have been very unhappy afterward."

I think he might be a little glad to find us, especially if he's very lonely. And, and I was just wondering if he wouldn't be proud of you when he heard how you paid all the debts after Papa died, even though there was so little money left. And Cousin Julia and all the rest said you were foolish. And I was wondering too if he wouldn't be just a little bit sorry when he knew how very hard you do have to work. End of chapter 2

CHAPTER THREE GLADYS HAS HER WAY

Gladys did not forget her intention of speaking to her papa on the subject of the little girl next door. It was after nine o'clock that evening when Mr. Wentworth reached home, but despite all Sarah's remonstrances and assurances that such conduct had never been heard of in the Graham family, Gladys was still up and dressed, and she flew to meet her father at the front door, and was soon settled comfortably on his knee.

Mr. Wentworth was very fond of his little daughter. Sarah declared he spoiled her outrageously, and perhaps Sarah was right. He listened with a smile to all Gladys had to tell him of what she had been doing during his absence, but when she came to the account of the afternoon's experience, he looked rather grave. I really was dreadfully lonely. Gladys finished rather mournfully. It's just horrid never to have anyone to play with.

"Don't you think it was very unkind in Sarah not to let me talk to the poor little blind girl?" "Sarah was right not to let you stand by the open window if she thought you might take cold," said Mr. Wentworth with decision. "But I think she might have let you explain matters to the little girl. I wish I knew of some nice children to come and play with you sometimes, but I thought the last experience in that line didn't turn out very well."

"Now, Papa, please don't talk about that," said Gladys, pouting. "I told you what very disagreeable girls those were and how they wanted me to do things I couldn't possibly do. I'm quite sure this little blind girl isn't like them. Oh, Papa dear, won't you please let me go and see her tomorrow? Just think, she hasn't anyone in the world to take care of her, except one sister, and she's away all day long.

she must be dreadfully lonely and she can't see a thing she told me so mr wentworth hesitated gladys little eager face was raised to his in earnest pleading and something in her description of the lonely blind child touched him oddly well he said rather doubtfully i scarcely know what to say

You know I don't care to have you play with children whose families I know nothing about. And yet in this case, Miss Scott, who keeps the boarding house, is a lady, and I am sure her boarders must all be respectable people. I don't think there can be any harm in you calling on the child. Sarah will go with you, of course, and she can judge by appearances what sort of people they are. But what are we thinking of? Ten o'clock and you not in bed.

what will sarah say to us now give me a kiss little woman and run off to bed like a good girl gladys having gained her point had no further objection to going to bed and after bestowing on her father a rapturous embrace she flew upstairs to impart to sarah the delightful news that papa had given his consent and she was going to see the little blind girl to-morrow

whatever sarah's private opinion on the subject may have been she had the good sense to keep it to herself she had a great respect for mr wentworth who paid her liberally for her care of his little daughter and always treated her with kindness and consideration

she could not resist remarking that she was quite sure mrs graham would never have permitted violet or daisy to visit an unknown child who lived in a boarding-house but she made no further objections and gladys fell asleep with a light heart and the happy consciousness that she should certainly renew her acquaintance with her interesting neighbor on the morrow

Her determination remained unshaken, and even before she was dressed next morning, she had run to the back window to try and catch a glimpse of the little blind girl. In this hope, however, she was disappointed, though she did see a very pretty young lady, who came to the next window to pull up the shade, just as she was peeping through the curtains, and she felt sure this young lady must be the elder sister of whom her new acquaintance had spoken.

she would have liked to have made her call immediately after breakfast but that she knew to be impossible miss may the daily governess came every morning from nine till eleven and even papa indulgent as he was would not allow lesson hours to be interfered with

So Gladys had to content herself with being even less attentive to lessons than usual. And, indeed, she was so restless and troublesome that good-natured Miss May at last lost her patience and told her sharply that if she did not behave better tomorrow, she should be obliged to complain to Mr. Wentworth. As the clock began striking eleven, Gladys was on her feet with the joyful exclamation, "'Eleven o'clock, Miss May! Now I can go, can't I?'

Miss May sighed and closed the geography book with an air of resignation. But Gladys was already in the closet searching for hat and jacket. "Sarah! Sarah!" she called impatiently. "Are you ready? I'm through!"

Sarah appeared, stern and disapproving, but outwardly calm. Miss May manifested a desire to remain and chat with the maid, possibly on the subject of Gladys's delinquencies, but the little girl speedily nipped any such dangerous topic in the bud. "You must please excuse us right away, Miss May," she said, pulling impatiently at Sarah's skirts as she spoke. "I've got a very important engagement this morning.

oh miss gladys how can you be so rude remonstrated sarah as she and her little charge having closed their own front door behind them were mounting the steps of the boarding-house next door you know perfectly well there wasn't the least hurry about your going out this morning

Gladys looked a little ashamed, but she was saved the necessity of a reply, for at that moment the door was opened by a neat servant girl, and she suddenly remembered something that she had hitherto quite forgotten. She did not know her new friend's name. "Is Miss… I mean, is the little blind girl at home?" she faltered, feeling suddenly rather shy and uncertain how to proceed. To her relief the girl smiled.

little miss joy you mean she said readily oh yes she's at home do you want to see her yes said gladys tell her it's gladys wentworth but i forgot she doesn't know my name either tell her it's the little girl next door

The girl smiled again and showed Gladys and Sarah into the parlor, while she went upstairs to deliver the message. She returned in a very few moments to say that Miss Joy would be very glad to see her visitor, and would Gladys please walk upstairs. It was with a beating heart that Gladys, in accordance with this request, ran lightly up the two flights of stairs to the third story, followed more slowly by the disapproving Sarah.

The door of the small back room was open, and in the doorway her sweet face, radiant with pleasant anticipation and both hands extended in welcome, stood Joy. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you," she said, leading the way hospitably into the room. "I told my sister all about you, and she was so interested. I didn't believe you would really come, but I hoped you might. Now won't you sit down?"

drawing forward the low rocker in which she spent so many hours each day. "'There's someone with you, isn't there? I thought I heard another step.' "'Yes,' said Gladys. "'It's Sarah. She's my nurse, you know.' She spoke rather indifferently, but Joy turned at once to the maid with sweet cordiality. "'I'm very glad to see you, too,' she said. "'Please sit down. There aren't many chairs, but this one's all right. Just wait till I take my big book off it.'

what a very big book exclaimed gladys with eager curiosity while sara who really had a kind heart underneath her prim fussy ways looked mollified and murmured a polite thank you as she took the offered seat

The mention of the book led to an explanation from Joy, and Gladys, and even Sarah, looked on with deep interest while she described the queer little dots to them and read a few paragraphs in answer to Gladys' eager, "Do show me how you do it." It was all very wonderful, and Gladys' interest in the blind girl deepened every moment. "Do you know," she said laughing when Joy had finished explaining and put the big book away in its place,

"'I didn't know your name, and I had to ask at the door for the little blind girl. I don't believe you know my name either.' "'Oh, yes, I do,' said Joy. "'At least I know your last name is Wentworth. Miss Scott told me so last night at dinner. She heard us talking at the window, and she asked me about it. She didn't know your first name, though.' "'My whole name is Gladys Mortimer Wentworth,' said Gladys proudly. "'And mine is Joy St. Clair.'

"Joy! What a very queer name!" exclaimed Gladys. "It sounds like a name in a storybook." "My real name is Joyce!" Joy exclaimed. "But everyone has always called me Joy. Papa liked it because it was my mama's name. She was always called Joy, too." "I think Joy St. Clair is a very beautiful name," said Gladys, fearing her friend might have considered her last remark rather rude. "Have you always lived in New York?"

no we lived in virginia till after papa died we had a big plantation and it was such a lovely home why don't you live there now gladys inquired rather bluntly with a glance around the plainly furnished boarding-house bedroom joy flushed slightly

"'Because we couldn't afford it,' she said. "'Papa failed just before he was taken ill, and afterward there was very little money left. "'Our old home had to be sold, and Agnes and I came here to New York to live.' "'Weren't you very sorry to lose your old home?' Gladys asked sympathetically."

Yes, indeed, it was such a dear old place, but it was harder for Agnes than it was for me, because she was so much older and she lived there so much longer. I think she minded selling her horse more than anything else. He was such a beautiful horse, jet black with just one white spot on his forehead. She called him Black Beauty because he was just like the picture of Black Beauty in the story.

He would go so fast, and he was as gentle as a dog, and would follow Agnes all over the place. She was so fond of him, and sometimes she would put me on his back and lead him up and down the avenue in front of the house. Oh, it was such fun. Agnes cried the morning he went away to be sold, and so did Josh, our old black coachman. "'I hope my papa will never fail,' said Gladys a little apprehensively."

"We haven't got a plantation, but we've got a lovely country place at Clam Harbor. I've got a pony too, a darling little bay one, and some guinea pigs and ever so many bunnies. It must be very disagreeable to lose your money and have to live in a boarding house." Sarah looked rather shocked at this want of tact on the part of her little charge, but Joy did not seem to mind. "It isn't so bad when you get used to it," she said cheerfully.

"All the people in the boarding house are very kind. And does your sister go out and leave you every single day?" Gladys went on, not noticing Sarah's warning shake of the head. "She has to, every day except Sundays. She is a companion to a poor old lady who is so crippled with rheumatism that she never goes out all winter long. Agnes reads to her and writes her letters and does everything for her all day.

She is quite kind, though, and sometimes she lets Agnes come home early on Saturday afternoons. And yesterday, you know how it rained, well, she let Agnes come home at five o'clock instead of at six, because her niece offered to take Aggie home in her carriage. We both thought it was very kind. "'And what do you do with yourself all day?' inquired Gladys with another glance around the room. "'Where do you keep your toys?'

"I haven't any toys. I used to have them at home, but we had to leave them behind when we came away. There wouldn't have been room for them, you know. I have my books, though, and I love reading better than almost anything else in the world. Agnes taught me to read. Wasn't it clever of her? She teaches me lots of other things, too. Then I knit some of the time and I make up stories and play imaginary people come to see me." Gladys looked much impressed.

"'That must be very interesting,' she said. "'I should like to play it, too, if you would teach me how. But you don't really like learning lessons, do you?' "'Oh, yes, I like it very much. At least I like some lessons. I don't care for arithmetic, but Aggie thinks I will like it better when I know more about it. She teaches me every evening. "'I hate lessons,' said Gladys frankly, and now it was Joy's turn to look surprised.'

before she could express her surprise in words however there was a knock at the door a parcel for miss st clair said the servant entering and depositing a large flat package on the bed a boy left it there's nothing to pay all the color went suddenly out of joy's face she said nothing but when the servant had left the room she rose and walking over to the bed touched the parcel with one trembling little hand

Then, to Gladys' amazement, she suddenly put up both hands before her face and burst into a perfect passion of tears. "'Oh, what is it? What's the matter?' cried Gladys, running to her new friend's side and slipping an arm about her waist. "'It wasn't anything I said that made you cry, was it? Oh, I'm so sorry!'

"Oh, no, no," sobbed Joy. "It wasn't that. But it's come back again, and Aggie will be so dreadfully disappointed." "What's come back?" Gladys inquired, more and more bewildered. "You don't mean that parcel the girl just brought in, do you?" "Yes, it's her book, her beautiful book, that it took her nearly a whole year to write."

She read it to me, and it's such a lovely story. I was so proud of her, and I thought the publishers would love it. But they don't. They all send it back. This is the fourth one, and he kept it so much longer than the others that I began to hope he was really going to take it. Oh, I think it will almost break Aggie's heart. "'My papa's a publisher,' said Gladys. "'Have you sent it to him?'

"'No, I don't think so,' said Joy, making a great effort to check the sobs which seemed choking her. "'Is your father Wentworth and Company?' she added with a sudden recollection. "'Yes,' said Gladys. "'A. L. Wentworth and Company. That's my papa's firm. They've got a big store on Broadway. I go there sometimes to see papa.'

"Yes, I know," said Joy. "Aggie and I passed it once and I asked her why she didn't send her book there. She said it wouldn't be any use because it was such a big place and they only published very fine books." "I'll tell you what," exclaimed Gladys with a sudden inspiration, "you let me have the book and I'll give it to Papa. He'll publish it, I'm sure he will, when I tell him all about it and how disappointed you were."

Joy gave a little gasp and clasped her hands. "You will? You really will?" She cried rapturously. "And I won't have to tell Aggie about it coming back again? I hid it the last time and kept it for two days, and then I had to tell her. Perhaps your papa will see that someone really reads it. Aggie says she thinks some of the publishers don't even have it read. It looks when it comes back just as if it hadn't been touched.

"Oh, Gladys, I can't tell you how much I thank you." And with a sudden impulse, Joy flung her arms around her new friend's neck and hugged her. Gladys was deeply gratified and returned the embrace with a fusion. "Papa will do almost anything I ask him to," she said confidently. "I'll give it to him the very first thing when he comes home, and I'm sure it will be all right." "Miss Gladys," said Sarah, rising just at this interesting moment,

"I think you better say goodbye now, or it will be too late for your walk before lunch." Gladys looked as if she would like to rebel, but Sarah was firm, so with another goodbye kiss and a promise to come again very soon, Gladys departed, hugging the precious parcel tightly in her arms. "Well, Sarah, isn't she the very nicest girl you ever saw?" exclaimed Gladys the moment the door of the boarding house had closed behind them.

"She seems a very nice ladylike child," Sarah admitted with unusual graciousness. "The family have evidently seen better days. But Miss Gladys," she added severely, "you did very wrong to take that book and promise that your father would publish it. It isn't at all likely he would even look at such trash." "How do you know it's trash?" demanded Gladys indignantly.

"'Of course it's trash,' said Sarah with decision. "'Didn't you hear the child say that it had been refused by four publishers?' Gladys looked a little crestfallen. "'Well, I guess Papa'll do it,' she said hopefully. "'When I tell him about the poor little blind girl and how she cried.' "'Your Papa isn't the only member of the firm to be consulted,' said Sarah dryly. "'However, it's no concern of mine and you can show it to him if you choose.'

Gladys did choose, and when Mr. Wentworth reached home that afternoon, he was greeted at the top of the front stairs by his little daughter, holding a large flat parcel in her hand. "Oh, Papa," she began, scarcely waiting for his kiss, "I want you to do something for me very much indeed. Will you please promise to say yes?" "I will if I can," said Mr. Wentworth, laughing. "What is it, little one?"

"It's a book," said Gladys, speaking fast and just a little nervously.

Joy St. Clair's sister wrote it. Joy St. Clair is the little blind girl next door. "I went to see her this morning, you know, and it came back while I was there, and she cried and said it would almost break her sister's heart. Sarah says I oughtn't to have promised you that you would publish it, because she thinks it's trash, but Joy said four publishers had sent it back. And oh, Papa, it was dreadful to see her cry so. She's blind, you know. She can't see a single thing."

Gladys's eyes were full of tears, and her father, who had been looking rather grave while listening to the story, smiled and patted her head kindly. "There, never mind, little woman," he said. "Is this the wonderful book? Well, let me have it, and I'll take it to the office tomorrow and have one of our readers examine it. If it's trash, we can't do anything worse than send it back again." And with this slender consolation, Gladys was forced to be content. End of chapter 3

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See how you can save on wireless and streaming versus the other big guys at T-Mobile.com/switch. Apple intelligence requires iOS 18.1 or later. Chapter 4 of The Little Girl Next Door. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Read by Marie Christian. The Little Girl Next Door by Nina Rhodes. Chapter 4: Happy Days.

The acquaintance so unexpectedly begun was not allowed to drop. On the very next day, which happened to be Saturday, Sarah appeared with the request that Joy should spend the afternoon with her new friend next door and take a drive in the park with Gladys and her nurse. Joy was enchanted and flew about to get ready with such a radiant face that Sarah's own face softened wonderfully and when she spoke to the little girl it was in a tone that Gladys seldom heard.

What an afternoon that was! Long afterward Joy used to like to think of it and talk of it. Never in her life, even in the prosperous days in the South, had she dreamed of such wonderful toys as Gladys's. The doll's house with every appointment complete, even to a doorbell, and lace pillow shams on the beds. The train of cars worked by electricity that would run on a miniature track and whistle and ring a bell at every curve.

and above all the phonograph to which she never tired of listening and which she privately considered the most marvelous invention in the world then the drive in the luxurious carriage the bright sunshine and the air fragrant with the perfume of budding lilac and wisteria oh it was all beautiful beautiful gladys was in excellent spirits and gentler and more considerate than sarah had ever seen her before

She was a rather selfish little girl, overindulged and not always easy to please. But she had a kind heart, and the sight of the little blind girl seemed to bring out all that was best in her nature. It was a very pleasant feeling too to know that she was making someone else happy, and it required only one glance at Joy's smiling face to convince her of the fact that her new friend was very, very happy.

"Did you remember about Aggie's book?" Joy had whispered the first moment the two children were alone together. "Yes," said Gladys. "I gave it to Papa and he said he would take it to the office and let one of his readers see it." Joy gave a sigh of relief. "I am so glad," she said. "Now perhaps it will really be read and no one could possibly read it without finding out what a beautiful story it is.

It was so fortunate Aggie forgot to ask me last night if any parcel had come for her. I was so afraid she would, and I shouldn't have known what to tell her, for I couldn't tell a story, you know. But she never said a word about it, and now if she asked this evening if anything came for her today, I can just say no, and she'll go on thinking her book is still with the same publisher.

It was after five when they came back from the drive, and when Sarah took Joy home she found that the elder sister had already returned. Agnes was delighted to hear of the pleasure that had come to her little sister, and she thanked Sarah so prettily for her kindness to Joy, and was altogether so gracious and so charming, that Sarah's heart was won from that moment.

she's a real lady she informed the cook on her return home they may have met with reverses and i dare say they have a hard time to get along but i think after all my experience of living in the best families that i may be trusted to know a lady when i see one that drive was only the beginning of pleasures for joy

Gladys, always an affectionate, impulsive little person, had taken a violent fancy to the little blind girl, and scarcely a day passed on which she did not send for her new friend, to play with her or to take a walk or drive in the park. Notwithstanding all the love and indulgence that was lavished upon her, Gladys had really been a very lonely child, and this new companionship was a most delightful experience in her life.

Joy was always ready, always happy, and her sweet bright nature was unconsciously bringing a new, good element into the big luxurious house next door. Joy never wanted to change the dolls' names. To her, the Egerton family were quite as real human beings as they were to Gladys, and the two little girls would play happily together by the hour.

then when gladys found how fond her friend was of books she suggested reading aloud to her and the proposal was received with such gratitude that her vain little soul was flattered and from that day forth one of her greatest amusements was reading to joy

joy was fond of lessons which gladys was not but gladys had some ambition and the discovery that the little blind girl who had had so few advantages was so much more familiar with historical facts and personages than she was herself was a rather unpleasant one miss may began to find her little pupil more attentive in those days and rather less inclined to keep one eye constantly on the clock between the hours of nine and eleven

Mr. Wentworth was a very busy man, and though devoted to his little girl, he did not really see so very much of her. He had perfect confidence in Sarah and left the arrangement of most things concerning Gladys in her hands. He had no near relations in New York.

his only sister lived in boston and on the one visit she had made to her brother in late years she had had so much to say about the folly of spoiling children and about the manner in which her own little boys were brought up that gladys had taken an intense dislike to her and had been so naughty and impertinent during her aunt's visit that mr wentworth had been actually ashamed to invite her again

mr wentworth was delighted to see his little girl so happy and he listened with real interest to her detailed accounts of joy's perfections but it so happened that he did not see the child himself until several weeks after her first acquaintance with gladys then coming home one afternoon rather earlier than usual he found the two children together in the parlor

The little blind girl was at the piano, softly touching the keys and trying to pick out a simple tune that a hand organ had just been playing in the street. At sight of her father, Gladys jumped up with an exclamation of pleasure. "Oh, Papa, here's Joy! I do want you to see her so much!" Mr. Wentworth smiled, but his glance was very kind as it rested on the sweet face with those big blue unseeing eyes.

joy had risen at once on his entrance and now stood blushing and even trembling a little to her mr wentworth was the great and omnipotent power in whose hands rested her sister's fate little did she dream that mr wentworth with his mind full of other things had entirely forgotten the incident of the rejected manuscript

He took Joy's hand very kindly and told her he was glad to see her, and that he had heard a great deal about her from his little daughter. Then his eyes wandered to the open piano and he inquired, "'Were you not playing when I came in?' Joy blushed more than before and looked decidedly embarrassed. "'Oh, I can't play,' she said. "'I was only trying to remember a tune that the hand organ was playing outside.'

"'That is more than most of us can do, I fancy,' said Mr. Wentworth. "'Are you fond of music?' Joy's face brightened. "'Oh, yes, indeed,' she said eagerly. "'I love it dearly.' "'You ought to take music lessons,' said Mr. Wentworth, looking interested. He was passionately fond of music himself, and it was a source of deep regret to him that, so far, Gladys had not appeared to care much about it."

I met a young blind lady at a friend's house the other day who played remarkably well on the piano. "I should like to take lessons very much," said Joy. "Agnes, my sister, plays beautifully and sings too. She would teach me, but you see, we couldn't afford to have a piano in our room, and Miss Scott doesn't like to have us use the one in the parlor, for fear it might disturb some of the old ladies."

mr wentworth laughed and said a few more pleasant words and then went away up the stairs but he did not forget the little incident it was on the following saturday morning that gladys and sarah made their appearance at the boarding-house at a much earlier hour than usual

"'I've come to take you home with me to spend the whole day,' Gladys announced. "'It's my birthday, you know, and we're going to have a perfectly lovely time. In the first place, we're going out in the carriage, and I'm going to stop at Schwartz's toy store to buy my birthday present from Papa. He gave me fifty dollars this morning, but I told him stupid old money wasn't a real present, so he laughed and said he would put it in the bank for me, and perhaps someday when I was grown up I might change my mind.'

Then he gave me $10 more and told me to buy just what I liked with it. I decided to get a doll with a trousseau. And if there's any money left after that, we can stop at the phonograph place on the way home and get some new records.

"Then you're coming home to lunch with me, and our cook's going to make a beautiful birthday cake, with icing and candles and everything. And after lunch—and this is the best part of all—Papa has got three seats for Floradora, and you and Sarah and I are all going. Won't that be splendid?" "Oh," gasped Joy, and positively could not say another word. So much pleasure all crowded into one day fairly took her breath away.

"'Papa said you must go because you're so fond of music,' Gladys went on. "'He's just crazy about music himself, you know, and he wants me to take lessons next winter. But, oh dear, I know I can never learn. It must be awfully hard.' "'But you will try to learn, won't you?' said Joy a little anxiously. "'I don't think it can be so very hard. That is, not if you love it the way Aggie and I do.'

"I don't know," said Gladys indifferently. "If I don't like it, I suppose I shall stop. But if it would make your papa happy…" There was no doubt about the anxiety in Joy's tone now. "He does so many nice things for you all the time. Oh, Gladys, I don't believe any girl in the world ever had such a good father as you have. I should think you'd just love to please him." Gladys looked a little uncomfortable.

"'Oh, of course I shall try,' she said rather hurriedly. "'I didn't mean I really shouldn't. But now do hurry and get your things. James will be here with the carriage in just a few minutes. And we've got such a lot to do this morning.'

Nothing more was said on the subject of Gladys's music lessons, but perhaps those few words of joys had not fallen on quite such barren ground as Sarah, who had listened with an approving countenance, had imagined, for several times that day they recurred to Gladys's memory. And that evening when she was bidding her father good night, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with more affection than usual.

"Oh, Papa dear!" she exclaimed, feeling half inclined to cry, though she could not have told why. "It's been such a nice birthday, and now that I'm ten I'm really going to try to like lessons better." Perhaps that birthday was the happiest of all those happy days to Joy. The visit to the toy shop, the delicious lunch, and oh, best of all, the fascinating operetta with its gay, pretty music.

Joy scarcely spoke during the whole performance, but sat drinking in every note of music with rapturous enjoyment. She was indeed living in a beautiful, wonderful new world from which she did not emerge until they had left the theater and were on their way home. "Wasn't it nice?" said Gladys as Sarah closed the carriage door. Then Joy came back to reality with a start.

Nice, she echoed. It was too beautiful. I didn't know there was anything so lovely in the world. Gladys laughed. How you do enjoy things, don't you? She said a trifle patronizingly. Didn't you ever go to the theater before? No, never, said Joy and was silent for several minutes until Gladys, who liked to talk much better than to think, inquired. What are you thinking about?

"I was just wondering," said Joy, smiling, "whether there were any people in the world as happy as I am." Gladys opened her eyes wide in astonishment at this novel idea. "Why, of course there are," she said. "There must be lots and lots. But, Joy, are you always happy? Don't you wish you could do things and feel cross because you can't?" Joy's bright face was just a little wistful as she answered.

"I can't help wishing for things sometimes, but I'm almost always happy. I used to be happy even when I was alone all day. And now since I've known you, I've been happier still. I couldn't help it, you know, when you've been so awfully, awfully kind to me." "What are your principal wishes?" Gladys inquired with natural curiosity. "Well," said Joy slowly,

I do wish sometimes that Aggie didn't have to go to Mrs. Winthrop every single day, and that she had money enough to buy lots of pretty clothes. I wish she could go to parties sometimes just as she used to before Papa died. You don't know how pretty she is when she's dressed for a party. Mammy Lou, that was my old black nurse you know, used to describe her to me and I heard a gentleman tell Papa once that Aggie was the belle of the season.

That was just before Papa was taken ill, and Aggie has never been to a party since. "'But don't you ever wish for things for yourself, too?' Gladys asked. "'Oh, yes, I do sometimes, but I don't believe I ought when I've got so many nice things. I can't help thinking sometimes how lovely it would be if we could live in the country, and I could have lots of books and a piano. Don't you ever wish that you could see?' Joy shook her head."

"I never think much about that," she said. "I never have seen, you know, and I can't even imagine what it's like." Gladys asked no more questions, but it was not the first time that Joy's simple words had made her vaguely uncomfortable. It was not very pleasant to remember how often she herself wished for things, and was cross and discontented because she could not have them. And yet she had so much more to make her life bright and happy than poor little Joy.

But all good things must come to an end at last, and it was only a few days later that Gladys told Joy that her papa had decided to move out to his country place at Clam Harbor, Long Island, for the summer. Gladys was radiant over the prospect and had a great deal to say about her pony and other pets, but Joy looked graver than her friend had ever seen her look before, and Gladys hastened to cheer her up by saying,

"'And you're to come and make a nice long visit this summer. "'I asked Papa this morning if I might have you, "'and he said certainly if I liked, and of course I do like. "'I'll take you to drive in my pony cart, and you shall feed the bunnies, "'and I'll read lots of nice stories to you.' "'Joy smiled gratefully. "'You're awfully kind,' she said. "'But I'm afraid I couldn't leave Aggie.' "'Then she can come too,' said Gladys with reckless hospitality."

"She can sit on the piazza and read, and talk to Papa in the evenings. Oh, yes, and she can play on the piano, too, just as much as she likes." Joy's face shone with pleasure. "That would be just beautiful," she said. "But I don't know whether Aggie would like to come or not. She doesn't know your Papa, you see." "Well, she'd get acquainted with him if she came, wouldn't she?" said Gladys, laughing. "But you've got to come anyway, whether she does or not."

joy said nothing and gladys chattered on about the pleasures in store for them both the days flew by all too fast and all too soon came the morning when gladys ran in next door for the last time to say good-bye the express wagon was at the door and some of the servants had already left on an earlier train

Gladys was in the gayest of spirits and kissed Joy with real affection. As for Joy, she said very little but clung tight to her friend and tried hard to choke down the big lump in her throat. "I shall never, never forget how good you've been to me," she faltered. "I shall keep thinking about you all the time and when you come back next winter,

"But we shall see each other long before next winter," interrupted Gladys. "You're coming to Clam Harbor in July. Even Sarah talks about it. But I can't stay any longer. Papa said I must only just say goodbye and then come right back. We're going in a little while. Goodbye, you precious thing, and don't forget you're coming very soon." In another moment the bedroom door had closed behind the visitor, and the little blind girl was once more alone.

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CHAPTER V.

for over a week the weather had been almost unbearably hot in the city and all those who could possibly manage to do so were hurrying away from town to seaside or mountains most of miss scott's boarders had gone away for the summer and miss scott herself was talking of just taking a run up to vermont to spend the fourth with a married sister

"'All the other houses on the block were closed "'or tenanted only by caretakers and their families.'

"'Mrs. Winthrop, whose rheumatism was worse than usual this year, "'still remained in town, "'and Agnes St. Clair sat patiently reading to the fretful invalid, "'or writing long, uninteresting letters at her dictation, "'while in the little hot boarding-house bedroom, "'Joy sat alone through the long June days, "'trying vainly to find the old amusement in reading and making up.'

hot weather did not agree with the little blind girl and the elder sister's heart ached with an almost unbearable ache as she saw the little face she loved so dearly growing paler and thinner day by day and noted the weary languid note in the sweet voice that still had never one word of complaint to utter on this particular evening agnes was feeling even more tired and anxious than usual

the day had been extremely hot and mrs winthrop's temper never of the sweetest had suffered in consequence her head ached and she was very tired but she walked fast in spite of the heat for joy was expecting her and joy must not be kept waiting miss scott herself opened the front door to her boarder

"'Well, this has been a hot day, hasn't it?' she exclaimed as Agnes stepped into the hall, which did feel delightfully cool after the heat and glare of the street. "'You look just about ready to drop, too. You poor thing!' "'I am rather tired,' the girl admitted with a smile, "'but I suppose I ought not to mind heat, as I am a Southerner.'

"'Well, that poor little sister of yours minds it whether you do or not,' said the landlady a little sharply. "'That child doesn't look a bit well. She hardly tasted her lunch to-day. I brought her a glass of lemonade and some cookies this afternoon, thinking she might like something. But when I went in to take away the glass and plate a few minutes ago, I found she had only eaten one cookie, though she did drink the lemonade.'

can't you manage to take her off somewhere for a little change it would do her all the good in the world if you could agnes shook her head sadly i'm afraid not at present she said mrs winthrop doesn't intend leaving town before august and even then i scarcely know do you really think joy is ill miss scott

"'Well, I don't say she's exactly ill,' said the landlady, touched by the anxious expression on the elder sister's face. "'But a change would certainly be a splendid thing for her. If my sister hadn't such a big family of her own that she never has room for anyone outside, I declare I'd take Joy to Vermont with me next week. I'm only going to be away a few days, but it would be better than nothing.'

you are very very kind said agnes impulsively holding out her hand and miss scott saw that her lip was trembling i must try and manage to give joy a change this summer though i can't see just at present how it is to be done then agnes hurried away upstairs to her room and the landlady went off to see about dinner

"'Joy was sitting in her old place, the low rocker by the window, with her big book on her lap. "'But as little Lord Fauntleroy was now being read for the third time, "'it was only natural that a little of the original interest should have worn off. "'And at the moment when Agnes entered the room, "'Joy's busy fingers were resting idly on the page before her, "'and she was leaning back in her chair with a listless, tired expression on the pale little face, "'that it wrung her sister's heart to see.'

but joy's greeting was just as bright and eager as of old and when agnes had taken off her hat the two sat down together side by side just as they had done on that other afternoon more than two months ago when gladys had first made the acquaintance of the little girl next door have you been very uncomfortable to-day pet agnes asked anxiously laying her hand on joy's

oh no not very it was pretty warm while the sun was on this side of the house but i kept the blinds shut and what do you think i really fell asleep and had quite a long nap

i had such a lovely dream too i thought you and gladys wentworth and i were all in the country together and you were driving gladys's pony and my lap was full of flowers oh it was such a nice dream and when i woke up such a pleasant thing happened i was just feeling so thirsty and wishing i could have a nice drink of something cold when in came miss scott with a lovely glass of lemonade and some cookies wasn't it kind of her

very said agnes rather absently joy she added after a moment's pause do you know i have made up my mind to write to that publisher again joy gave a violent start it is nearly four months since i sent my story there agnes went on and i have never heard one word

At first I tried to hope it was because they were really considering accepting it, but now I'm afraid they've either forgotten all about it or else that the manuscript has been lost. Oh, no, said Joy earnestly. I'm quite sure that hasn't happened. Oh, Aggie dear, please don't write yet. Not for a little longer. Please, please don't.

agnes started in astonishment at the little flushed excited face that only the moment before had been so pale and languid why don't you want me to write dear she questioned wonderingly because because oh never mind only please wait just a little while longer agnes smiled

i suppose you think that just as long as we don't hear anything there is always the hope that they may take it she said softly stroking joy's cheek well i will wait another week but i know it is only postponing the evil day it's the most beautiful story in the world said joy with conviction some one will be sure to take it i know oh aggie dear you will wait a little longer before you write

"'Yes, I will, but I'm afraid it won't make any difference. The money would be so useful just now, even if it wasn't so very much. Joy, dear, don't you think it is rather strange that you've never heard a word from your little friend Gladys since she went to the country?' "'Gladys hates writing letters,' said Joy, rather apologetically. "'She told me she never wrote when she could possibly help it. Didn't she say she was going to ask you to visit her?'

yes and i told her i couldn't possibly go and leave you at home all alone agnes looked a little troubled i wish you hadn't said that dear why not inquired joy in a tone of astonishment you wouldn't want to have me go would you

agnes's fingers tightened over the little hand but she answered with forced cheerfulness and why not pussy cat do you think you are of such vast importance that i couldn't possibly exist for a week without you i thought you would miss me said joy simply and so i should more than i can tell and yet if i knew that the change was doing you good i think i should feel very happy about it you would like to go wouldn't you

"'Oh, yes, I should like it very much if I knew you were having a good time, too. I love Gladys, and it would be beautiful to be in the country and hear the birds and smell the flowers, but I couldn't enjoy it unless I knew that you were very happy.' "'And I should be very happy,' said Agnes quickly. "'I don't know of anything that would make me happier just now. I can't afford to pay for sending you away anywhere myself, and even if I could, I shouldn't know where.'

mrs winthrop isn't going before august and if i should ask her for a week's vacation now she might refuse to take me back again in the autumn perhaps gladys may forget all about the invitation but if she really does ask you joy darling i should like very much to have you accept but we've never been away from each other at night never in all our lives said joy with a little quiver in her voice

i know that my pet and i dare say it would almost break my heart to part with you when the time came but it would make me so happy to see the bright color in your cheeks again and we need only be separated for a little while you know i should feel safe about you too that sarah is a good conscientious woman and i should have no fear in trusting you to her care before joy could answer there was a knock at the door joy sprang to her feet

let me open it she cried eagerly you seem so comfortable i don't want you to move she flew to the door returning in a moment with two envelopes in her hand two letters aggie where do you suppose they're from one is for you said agnes taking it from joy's outstretched hand and yes i'm sure it's from gladys wentworth for it has the clam harbour postmark

oh do read it cried joy to whom the receipt of a letter was an event of considerable importance agnes tore open the envelope and read aloud clam harbour june twenty sixth

"'Dear Joy, I want you to come to Clam Harbour next week, to stay just as long as you possibly can. Let me know what day you can come, and Sarah will go to the city for you and bring you here. My pony is well, and all my other pets, and we will have lovely times together. I am very lonely, and Papa says he will be very glad when I have someone to play with.'

i hate writing letters so i won't say any more so please write just as soon as you can and tell me what day you will come sarah says to tell your sister she will take good care of you i think sarah likes you better than she does most people good-bye till you come from your loving friend gladys mortimer wentworth agnes looked up from the letter with a smile how odd that it should have come just now while we were talking about it she said

you would really like to go if you knew it would make me happy wouldn't you darling you are sure you really do want me to go joy questioned still a little anxiously quite sure was her sister's prompt reply then said joy slowly and with a little sigh of intense satisfaction i think i should like it better than anything else except having your book accepted

you funny little girl said agnes kissing her well we will consider it settled then and i will write a letter for you to gladys after dinner saying that you accept her kind invitation and will be ready the last of next week i don't think i could get you off before that your clothes all need looking after and i must manage somehow to get you one new dress joy's bright face clouded

i wish you didn't have to do that she said regretfully do you really think i need it yes i really do said agnes with decision i can't have my little sister going visiting unless she's dressed like a lady joy sighed when agnes spoke in that tone there was never the least use in arguing with her but here's the other letter she exclaimed with a sudden recollection i was forgetting all about giving it to you

agnes held out her hand rather indifferently her correspondence was never very interesting nowadays next moment however her manner changed and she exclaimed in astonishment it's from wentworth and co publishers perhaps gladys's father has written to ask my consent to your going how very nice of him isn't it

joy made no answer at the words wentworth and co publishers her heart had given one great bound and then almost seemed to stand still agnes tore open the letter read the first line then uttered a low astonished cry and sank back in her chair trembling from head to foot

"'What is it? Oh, Aggie, what does it say?' gasped Joy, seizing the paper which her sister, in her surprise, had let fall in her lap. "'It's about my book.' "'Why, Joy, how can it be? I never sent the story there. Read it, read it,' cried Joy, almost beside herself with impatience. With an effort, Agnes recovered her self-possession, took up the letter again, and read in a shaking voice.

dear madam in reference to your story a tangled web which you placed with us some weeks ago we would say that we have given the novel careful consideration and are so favourably impressed by it that we should be very glad to hear from you further on the subject

we would be pleased to make some satisfactory arrangement with you in regard to publication awaiting your reply we remain very truly yours wentworth co publishers and i did it i did it all sobbed joy her arms tight round her sister's neck oh aggie i'm so happy i didn't know anyone in the world could be quite so happy

it was my secret the story did come back from the other publishers and i was so unhappy about it i couldn't bear to tell you gladys was here when it came and she felt so sorry she said she would show it to her father it was such a relief for i knew you would think it hadn't come back and would keep on hoping all the time and gladys said she would ask her papa please to be sure and see that the story was read

"'Oh, I've been so excited about it, and when you said you were going to write to those other publishers, I was so frightened. Oh, Aggie, darling, I don't know what makes me cry, but I'm so proud and so happy, I don't think I quite know what I'm doing.'" End of chapter 5 Chapter 6 of The Little Girl Next Door This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org.

the little girl next door by nina rhodes at clam harbour it was more than two weeks since that memorable never-to-be-forgotten evening and in the meantime many interesting and wonderful things had happened

in the first place agnes book was really going to be published and if the story proved as much of a success as the publishers confidently hoped there was a prospect of ease and comfort for the future such as poor tired aggie had never dared even in her most sanguine moments to hope for as for joy her heart was almost bursting with pride and happiness

but it would be some time yet before the book could be ready to come out and meanwhile agnes being a sensible cautious little woman dared not run the risk of losing her present situation and notwithstanding all joy's entreaties was firm in her determination to remain at her post as long as mrs winthrop stayed in town in august i will take a nice little holiday she said and then we will go off somewhere together and be just as happy as the day is long

miss scott thinks we may be able to get good cheap board at that place in vermont where her sister lives she's going to inquire about it for us when she goes up there next week and in the meantime you will go to clam harbour and have a lovely visit with gladys

so it was settled and one afternoon in the following week sarah appeared and joy clung about her sister's neck and cried a little and agnes cried too though she pretended she was only laughing and was very careful to dash away the tears before joy could feel them

then came the last parting kiss an anxious you'll take good care of her sarah from agnes a hearty promise from sarah and then almost before joy realized what was happening to her she was in the train being whirled rapidly away from the great city towards the scene of new pleasures and new experiences gladys gave her little friend a rapturous greeting and had soon introduced her to the pony the bunnies and all the other inhabitants of the place

mr wentworth too received joy very kindly and altogether those first few days at clam harbour were very delightful ones notwithstanding the fact that there were times especially towards evening when joy would steal away by herself and indulge in a quiet little cry i know i'm very silly and please don't tell gladys she explained to sarah when the maid came upon her suddenly while thus engaged one afternoon

but you see it's just the time when aggie gets back from mrs winthrop's and i was always there and i can't help being afraid she may miss me just a little though she said she shouldn't

Every day Joy wrote a long letter to her absent sister. They were queer-looking letters, and to some people they might have appeared only unintelligible combinations of little raised dots, but to Agnes those little dots were quite as intelligible as any ordinary writing would have been, and her tired face would brighten wonderfully as she read of the pleasant things that were continually happening at Clam Harbour.

how one day mr wentworth had taken both children for a sail in his beautiful yacht and how another time they had gone blackberrying in the woods taking their lunch with them and making the excursion into an all-day picnic there was one fact however which joy did not mention in her letters and that was that two or three days after her arrival sarah had received a telegram telling of the serious illness of her mother and begging her to come at once

sarah was a very conscientious woman and it was not without a good deal of reluctance that she decided to leave her two little charges but her mother needed her and of course she had to go mr wentworth was also somewhat disturbed as none of the other servants were particularly reliable and he knew from experience that his little daughter was not always to be depended upon in so far as not getting into mischief was concerned

he looked rather grave until sarah with a sudden inspiration suggested that they might send for miss may a telegram was despatched and was speedily answered miss may would be very glad to come and would be in clam harbour on the following morning

gladys was delighted she really liked her good-natured young governess especially when there was no danger of lessons being suggested and at present she was not afraid of that as papa had promised to say a word to miss may on the subject of summer holidays joy looked a little troubled i suppose miss may is very nice she said

but i do like sarah even if she is a little fussy sometimes and then aggie said she was so happy about letting me come because she was sure sarah would take such good care of me i wonder if it would be wrong if i didn't say anything to her about it of course it wouldn't said gladys confidently it's too bad about sarah's mother of course and i suppose i ought to be very sorry but she does scold awfully sometimes and just wait till you see miss may

miss may arrived the next day and although she was very kind and pleasant and much more inclined to let people do as they liked than sarah still joy found herself sometimes thinking a little regretfully of the absent maid and did not agree with gladys when that young lady remarked that she wished miss may were going to live with them all the time and that sarah's mother might require her daughter's service for the rest of the summer

it was a very sultry july afternoon and the two little girls were comfortably settled on the wentworth broad piazza joy lying in the hammock while gladys curled up in a big wicker arm-chair read aloud from a volume of st nicholas all the bright colour had come back to joy's cheeks and if miss scott had seen her at luncheon that day she would have had no cause to complain of the child's lack of appetite

gladys had been reading aloud for over an hour and her voice and eyes were both rather tired so having reached the end of her story she looked up from her book and indulged in a mighty yawn that was a very nice story said joy but i'm afraid you're tired yes i am a little i guess i won't read any more now what shall we do next

Would you like to play imaginary people? Joy inquired. Gladys shook her head. I'm getting rather tired of that, she said. Can't we play something else? Let's go upstairs and play with the Egerton family. We ought to see how Alexis is getting on with the measles. It's so hot indoors. I wish we could get out with the pony. But we can't. You know your papa said he had to go to the blacksmith's to be shot this afternoon. Gladys stamped impatiently.

"'I think blacksmiths are an awful bother,' she remarked. "'I wish horses' shoes grew on their feet. Then they wouldn't have to be shod. I wonder if Miss May wouldn't take us down to the beach. She said at luncheon that she had a bad headache. I wouldn't like to ask her, would you?' "'No, I suppose we couldn't. And anyhow, there isn't any need. We could just as well go by ourselves.' "'But I thought Sarah said we couldn't go alone when you asked her the other day.'

"'Oh, bother about Sarah. She's just an old fuss. "'Course it's all right for us to go. "'It's only a little way, and I can take care of you as well as anyone else. "'Come along. I'll get our hats and we'll have some fun.' "'But Joyce still looked doubtful. "'I don't think we ought to go without asking Miss May first,' she said with decision. "'She might come to look for us and be frightened when she couldn't find us.'

gladys seemed to consider this a rather unnecessary proceeding but as joy firmly refused to move until the governess had been informed she finally yielded and ran upstairs to obtain the required permission

miss may's door was closed but in answer to gladys's rather impatient knock a sleepy voice called come in and as the little girl entered the room the governess who was lying on the bed with a novel and a bottle of smelling salts looked up to inquire what do you want gladys i was just falling asleep and i have such a wretched headache

i'm sorry i woke you up said gladys but i just came to ask if joy and i mayn't go down to the beach to play we're tired of staying on the piazza and we can't have the pony because he's gone to be shot miss may laid down her novel and took a whiff of the smelling salts why yes i suppose you may she said a little doubtfully i don't believe you'd better go alone though can't lizzie go with you

no she's ironing and anyway we don't want her i'll take good care of joy and we'll be all right well i don't really see what could possibly happen to you down there will you be very careful crossing the road and be sure you don't get your feet wet i would go with you myself but my head really is very bad and if i keep quiet this afternoon it may be better by dinner-time

and miss may passed her hand wearily across her forehead and yawned gladys readily gave the required promise and flew off in high spirits to get her hat five minutes later the two little girls were trudging along the dusty road hand in hand in the direction of the beach it really was very hot in the sun and joy could not help thinking regretfully of the cool piazza and the hammock but she was too good-natured and too fond of gladys to make any objections to her friend's plans for their amusement

till she walked on cheerfully listening to gladys's merry chatter and only remarked when they had been steadily walking for nearly a quarter of an hour that the beach seemed rather farther off than she had supposed the day they went in the pony-cart there's another way that's ever so much shorter said gladys but i don't like to take it because it's through mr hinsdale's place who's mr hinsdale joy inquired

oh he's the crossest most disagreeable old gentleman in the world everybody's afraid of him even sarah they say he never has a pleasant word for anyone and there isn't a single person who likes him oh the poor old gentleman exclaimed joy how dreadful it must be terribly lonely for him if he hasn't any friends does he live all by himself

oh he's got plenty of servants he's very rich i heard papa and mr brent talking about him once and they said he was a millionaire he's got the handsomest place in clam harbour but i don't see what use it is to him for he never has any company and never lets anyone come in to see it did you ever speak to him joy inquired with interest

"'Speak to him? Good gracious, no. I wouldn't for anything. I would be frightened to death. Why, even Papa says he doesn't like to have any more to do with him than he can help. I see him every Sunday in church, though, for his pew is right across the aisle from ours, and he says the response is so loud it almost makes me laugh. One Sunday we had a strange clergyman who talked very slowly, and Mr. Hinstale got so impatient he kept tapping his foot and shaking his head.'

i couldn't help smiling it looked so funny and just at that very minute he turned round and looked straight at me oh my didn't he frown i was so scared i nearly went under the seat lizzie our waitress says mr hinsdale has such a dreadful temper she thinks he wouldn't mind killing a person when he's angry but here we are at the beach and don't you feel the nice cool breeze

the two children were soon established in a shady nook behind the bathing-house deep in the interesting occupation of building sand forts to joy who had never been at the seashore before this new play proved very attractive and the afternoon slipped away without either of them realizing the flight of time until gladys suddenly exclaimed in a tone of some anxiety

why how dark it's getting it can't be so very late but the sun's gone in i wonder if it's going to rain i thought i heard a rumbling noise a few minutes ago said joy do you suppose it could have been thunder i guess we'd better go home anyway said gladys it does look pretty black but if we hurry we'll be all right joy scrambled to her feet and the two children started rapidly in a homeward direction

it certainly was unusually dark for the time of day gladys was sure it could not be much after five o'clock and they had not taken many steps when the rumbling noise joy had mentioned was heard again and this time there was no doubt about its being thunder there really is going to be a shower said gladys hurrying her companion along are you afraid of thunderstorms not exactly but i shouldn't like to get wet besides wouldn't miss may be dreadfully frightened if we didn't get home before the storm

"'Couldn't we take that short way you told me about?' Gladys hesitated. But at that moment there came a louder peal of thunder than before, and the branches of the trees began to wave in a sudden breeze. "'I guess we'd better,' she said with a nervous glance at the rapidly darkening sky. "'I don't believe Mr. Hinsdale will see us. We don't have to pass very near the house.' "'Do you suppose he would really do anything to us, even if he did?' Joy inquired.

i don't know but i shouldn't like to try he's got such a dreadful temper every one says and there's a big sign no trespassing allowed right over his gate i know i should run if i saw him coming after us perhaps we oughtn't to go in his place if he doesn't allow people said joy a little nervously but gladys had already turned in at the iron gates which enclosed mr hinsdale's property and fired by the spirit of adventure she had no intention of turning back

i don't believe he'll see us she repeated reassuringly it looks so much like rain he'll be sure to be in the house oh don't you smell the flowers they're perfectly beautiful we mustn't stop to look at them though it's getting blacker and blacker every minute she quickened her pace to a run as she spoke and poor little joy unused to such violent exercise found considerable difficulty in keeping up with her

"'You can't run worth a cent, can you?' said Gladys, somewhat contemptuously, dragging her friend along the graveled path. "'No, I'm afraid I can't,' panted Joy. "'Are we almost home?' "'We'll be out of Mr. Hinsdale's grounds in a few minutes, and ours is the next place.' "'Stop! Stop, both of you! What do you mean by trespassing on my property in this way? Stop, do you hear me?'

it was a very loud terrible voice and it came from what appeared to be a small rustic summer-house only a few yards away from them it was an awful moment gladys uttered a loud shrill scream and joy's heart seemed to stand quite still come here i want to talk to you the terrible voice went on

it was too much for gladys with another terrified shriek she dropped joy's hand and next minute was flying at full speed in the direction of home leaving her poor little blind friend to whatever fate might be in store for her chapter six

CHAPTER VII. THE TERRIBLE MR. HENSDALE

For the first second when she found herself deserted, Joy stood quite still, panting for breath and scarcely realizing what had happened. "Gladys!" she gasped, stretching out her hand. "Gladys, where are you?" "I'll try to run as fast as you. I'll... I'll... Oh, Gladys, where are you?" There was no answer, only the sound of flying feet rapidly dying away in the distance.

Could it be that Gladys had deserted her? Joy gave a little frightened sob and started blindly in pursuit. She ran half a dozen steps, then stopped. Where was she to go? She did not know. Suppose instead of following Gladys, she should be running straight towards the owner of that terrible voice.

and at that very moment her quick ear caught the sound of another step not gladys's approaching rapidly why didn't you stop when i told you to the loud harsh voice demanded and it sounded frightfully near this time didn't you see the sign on my gate what do you mean by coming where you're not wanted eh

The footsteps were close at her side, and a big, heavy hand was laid on her shoulder. Joy gave one more frightened sob, then resolutely stood still to meet her doom. The little blind girl was no coward. "'I'm very sorry,' she faltered. "'We wanted to get home before the storm, and we thought perhaps you wouldn't mind just for once. This way was so much shorter.' "'You thought I wouldn't mind, did you?'

what right have you to think any such thing now listen and mind you pay attention to what i say i put that sign up because i won't have trespassers on my property and i intend to have that sign respected too i won't have my place turned into a public thoroughfare

i won't have my flower beds trampled and my fruits stolen now get along as fast as you can i'll let you off this time but if either you or your friend try to walk across this path again you can be prepared to take the consequences that's all the big hand was removed from joy's shoulder but the child still stood motionless well what are you waiting for

"Do you want me to set my bulldog on you, or are you trying to defy me?" "No, oh no, sir," gasped Joy. "But you see, Gladys has gone, and I don't know the way." "Well, I guess you'll find it if you try. Now be off and don't let me hear another word." He was actually turning away. Joy clasped her hands in despair. Already the first big drops of the threatened storm were beginning to fall.

Mr. Hensdale took half a dozen steps, then turned his head to see if his orders were being obeyed. To his amazement, he saw that the child had not moved, and with a furious exclamation regained her side and seized her once more by the shoulder, this time with no gentle hand. "I'll teach you what it means to disobey my orders!" he began savagely, but joy cut him short.

"'Oh, please, please don't be angry,' she cried. "'I don't want to disobey you, and I would go right away. Indeed, I would. But you see, I can't go alone. I don't know the way. I'm blind.' The grip on her shoulder loosened. Mr. Hensdale's hand dropped to his side. "'Blind?' he repeated slowly. "'Blind? And I've been ordering you off the place as if you were a tramp.'

"'But that friend of yours,' he added in a different tone. "'She wasn't blind, was she?' "'Oh, no, sir,' said Joy. "'She was Gladys, Mr. Wentworth's little girl. "'There are places next to yours, you know. "'We were playing on the beach, and Gladys saw a shower coming, "'and we were running to get home before it began to rain. "'Hmm. "'And your friend has run off and left you behind, has she? "'A nice person to have charge of you she must be.'

What can your mother be thinking of to trust a mite like you with nobody better than that to take care of you? I haven't any mother, said Joy simply. Gladys's governess has a headache, and she said we might go to the beach by ourselves. It wasn't Gladys's fault. It really wasn't. I can't run nearly so fast as she can, and she was so frightened. But

besides i made her come this way she told me about the sign and she said she was afraid to come but it was so much shorter and i didn't believe that you-that is i mean anyone would really do anything to us the stranger made a queer noise in his throat which sounded to joyce something like a suppressed chuckle and somehow his loud voice did not seem half so terrible now as he said still very grimly

well you're caught whether you expect it to be or not and there's nothing for you to do but come with me it's beginning to rain already and i don't propose to stand here to be drenched come along joy gave a little frightened gasp but there was no resisting the firm grasp of the terrible mr hindale's hand and in another moment she was being led rapidly along the gravel walk in the direction from that which she and gladys had been walking

Mr. Hensdale walked very fast, and Joy had hard work to keep up with his long strides. Not another word did he utter until they reached the house, and indeed, they were only just in time, for as they stepped onto the piazza, there was a vivid flash of lightning, a crash of thunder, and the storm burst in all its fury.

still in silence mr hensdell led the child into what she afterwards knew as the wide hall of hensdell place the largest and handsomest house in clam harbor she was panting from her rapid walk and her heart was still beating very fast but there was certainly some comfort in finding herself under shelter and with her natural politeness she felt it incumbent upon her to thank her grim companion

"You're very kind," she said a little timidly. "I'm ever so much obliged to you for bringing me in out of the rain." "Sit down," said her new acquaintance, pushing her not un-gently onto a sofa, where she leaned back among the soft cushions feeling all at once very tired and rather queer.

Mr. Hensdale stood for a moment, looking down at the little figure with a rather puzzled, curious expression in his keen, gray eyes. He was a very tall, erect old gentleman, but though Gladys had declared that everyone was afraid of him, there was nothing very terrible in his expression at that moment. "'Are you afraid of me now?' he asked abruptly."

joy gave a little start the question came so suddenly but her answer was prompt enough no sir she said you're not eh you were a few minutes ago though not very much said joy i couldn't help being a little just at first but even then i didn't believe you would really do anything very bad to us a grim smile that joy could not see stole across the grim handsome old face

"'It strikes me that you're rather a courageous young person,' he said. "'I believe I haven't the reputation of being a very amiable old party. Your friend the Wentworth child seems to have shared in the general opinion.' "'Gladys is only ten,' said Joy, coloring. "'She's almost a year younger than I am, and then you see, she isn't used to taking care of herself.' "'And you are, are you?'

i shouldn't think you were very fit for that sort of thing who do you belong to anyway i never saw you in this neighborhood before did i no sir said joy i am only visiting here i came last week to stay with gladys i live in new york with my sister

"Oh, that's it. Well, now I'll tell you something. I rather like people who are not afraid of me. I don't eat little girls, you know, even if I do scare them sometimes, and I haven't any dungeon in my castle. You're perfectly safe here, and just as soon as this shower is over I'll see that you get home all right. Now shall I call my housekeeper to look after you, or will you stay here with me?" "I think if you don't mind I'd rather like to stay here."

"'Very good. You're not afraid of thunderstorms, are you?' As at that moment a deafening crash filled their ears. "'Oh, no, sir, not at all, when I'm indoors. Seems to me you're not afraid of many things. Perhaps you'd like something to eat?'

joy said she was not hungry but her new friend who seemed in his odd way really trying to be kind and hospitable paid no attention to this assurance and crossing the hall he opened a door and called loudly hannah i say hannah bring some milk and some cake here and be quick about it after delivering this order mr hensdale walked out on the piazza and joy was left in solitude for the next five minutes

then a door behind her opened and an elderly woman carrying a tray made her appearance at sight of the only occupant of the hall the woman started back in evident surprise and uttered a little startled exclamation good land what in the world i beg your pardon said joy rising politely i suppose you're surprised to see me mr hensdale brought me in to wait till the shower is over

"'Well, I never,' ejaculated the woman in a rather low voice. Then recovering herself, she added in a different tone, "'Then I suppose it's for you that Mr. Hensdale ordered the milk and cake. Do you like fresh molasses cake?' "'Yes, very much, thank you, but I'm really not hungry at all. I told Mr. Hensdale I wasn't.'

i guess you can eat molasses cake even if you're not very hungry here's a nice glass of milk too help yourself why what's the matter as joy put out her hand with a timid uncertain movement it's nothing said the child smiling only would you mind helping me i'm blind blind oh you poor little thing there was no mistaking the kindness and pity in the housekeeper's tone

"That accounts for his doing it, of course. He's got a good heart, whatever people may say." And in another moment the old woman was on the sofa beside Joy, holding her glass and helping her with as much tenderness as though she had known her for years. The molasses cake certainly was delicious, and the cold, rich milk was also most refreshing.

joy found herself relishing her impromptu lunch exceedingly and she was soon chattering away to mr hensdale's good-natured housekeeper quite as though they were old friends she did not know that mr hensdale himself was standing in the doorway and watching her intently while she talked and ate and always with that same curious puzzled look in his eyes

Joy told about Gladys and her pets, about the many pleasant experiences of the past week, and about Aggie and her home in the New York boarding house. The housekeeper listened and asked kind, interested questions, and every few moments stole anxious, furtive glances at her master standing still and rigid in the open doorway.

Suddenly there was a sound of approaching wheels, and a closed carriage dashed up to the front door. Mr. Hensdale stepped out onto the piazza. "'I beg your pardon, Mr. Hensdale,' said a voice which Joy recognized at once as Mr. Wentworth's. "'But the little blind girl, can you tell me where to find her?' "'She's all right,' said Mr. Hensdale, and now his voice sounded gruff and cross again."

"'Did you think I had left her out in the rain to be drenched "'when that precious daughter of yours ran off without her?' "'I am very much obliged to you, I am sure,' said Mr. Wentworth, "'springing out of the carriage and hurrying up the steps. "'Ah, here she is!' as Joy, led by the housekeeper, came smilingly forward. "'Well, Joy, I hope you haven't been very much frightened.' "'Oh, no, indeed,' said Joy eagerly.

"'Mr. Hensdale and this lady have both been so kind. Did Gladys get home all right?' "'She got home all right,' said Mr. Wentworth rather grimly. "'I came home from the city to find the whole household on the piazza in a state of wild excitement. From what I could make out from Gladys, I gathered that there was a probability of your being found somewhere in this neighborhood. So I came for you as quickly as I could.'

we had better be going now the shower is nearly over and miss may was on the borders of hysterics when i left mr wentworth spoke hurriedly and there was a sternness and impatience in his manner which joy had never noticed in it before the fact was he had learned enough of the afternoon's adventure from gladys to feel very much ashamed of his little daughter's conduct and mr hensdale's words had not tended to soothe his feelings

he inwardly resolved that gladys should receive a lesson that she would not forget in a hurry joy turned to say good-bye to her new friends i'm ever so much obliged to you sir she said holding out her hand to mr hensdale after she had thanked the housekeeper for her kindness

i hope you won't mind about gladys being afraid she didn't know you you see but when i tell her how kind you have been and what a nice time i've had i know she'll wish she could come and see you some day mr hensdale took the little outstretched hand in his and held it for a moment without speaking his eyes had still that strange puzzled expression in them then as if recollecting himself he dropped joy's hand and said abruptly

good-bye you can tell your friend that i don't eat little girls even if i do object to trespassers on my property and if you feel like walking over this way again you can thank you said joy politely i should like to come and see you again very much then mr wentworth hurried her away into the carriage murmuring at the same time a few hurried words of thanks to his disagreeable neighbor

joy was already in her seat and the coachman was gathering up the reins when mr hensdale who had followed his guest as far as the front steps suddenly called out in his loud imperious voice wait one minute you haven't told me your name the horses were already moving but joy leaned eagerly forward joy st clair she called out as loud as she could

Mr. Wentworth was very silent during the short drive, although he was also very kind, keeping Joy well protected from the rain and twice expressing the hope that she had not been very much frightened. Joy did not suspect the reason for this silence until they had reached home, and Miss May, repentant and nervous, had taken the two little girls indoors.

Then, just as they were all on their way upstairs to dress for dinner, Mr. Wentworth called Gladys back. "Come into the library with me, Gladys," he said sternly. "I have something to say to you." Gladys hesitated but dared not disobey, and with hanging head and flushing cheeks, she turned and followed her father into the library.

What happened during that interview no one ever knew, but it was a very sorrowful, subdued Gladys who came out of that room some 20 minutes later and made her way very slowly and disconsolately upstairs. Joy was in her pretty little room next to Gladys' nursery brushing her hair when she heard her friend's step and called cheerfully, "'Is that you, Gladys? Where have you been?'

"'Downstairs with Papa,' said Gladys, pausing in the doorway. Her voice sounded as if she had been crying, and Joy turned in surprise, the hairbrush still in her hand. "'Why, Gladys, what's the matter?' "'Nothing.'

said Gladys shortly, and was turning away, when, with one of her sudden impulses, she changed her mind, came back and threw her arms around her friend's neck, and burst into a perfect tempest of sobs and tears. "Oh joy, joy!" wailed the repentant little sinner. "I'm so sorry, so dreadfully, dreadfully ashamed!"

"'Ashamed of what?' inquired Joy in growing bewilderment. "'Oh, Gladys, dear, what is it? What makes you cry so?' "'Because I've been so bad, and I've been a cow—coward!' sobbed Gladys. "'I ran off and left you all alone with that dreadful Mr. Hensdale because I was afraid to stay, and Papa says he's ashamed of me. "'Oh, dear, oh, dear, what shall I do? I don't want to be despised!'

Poor little Joy was terribly distressed. "Oh, don't! Please don't, Gladys, darling!" she pleaded, sobbing too from sympathy and covering her friend's tear-wet face with kisses. "You couldn't help running away when you were so frightened, and it was my fault for not being able to run as fast as you did." "No, no, it wasn't!" cried Gladys, hugging Joy tight.

You're a dear, brave, beautiful person, and I love you better than anybody in the world except Papa. I was a coward. Papa said so, and he's dreadfully ashamed of me. He says cowards are always despised, and if all people despise me, I shall die. I know I shall.

"Nobody will despise you," said Joy reassuringly. "And your papa didn't mean he was really ashamed. I'm sure he didn't. People can't help being afraid of things sometimes. I was a little bit afraid myself just at first. But, oh, Gladys, I needn't have been. Mr. Hensdale was just as nice and kind as he could be. And he's got such a nice housekeeper, too."

but i'm afraid he must be very lonely for he talks so loud it sounds as if he was angry when he really isn't and i suppose that's what makes people afraid of him he says i may come and see him again and i should like to very much indeed chapter seven

Chapter 8 of The Little Girl Next Door. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Read by Marie Christian. The Little Girl Next Door by Nina Rhodes. Chapter 8. Joy Goes Out to Dine.

joy's little adventure caused considerable excitement among the members of the wentworth household and even mr wentworth himself when his anger had had time to cool was interested in what the child had to tell about her visit and all the servants were deeply impressed

mr hensdale was a very well-known character in the neighborhood and stories about his oddities and his violent temper often exaggerated ones were subjects of a good deal of gossip is he really a terrible man papa gladys inquired that evening after dinner when still subdued and remorseful but happy in the certainty of her father's forgiveness she was comfortably established on mr wentworth's knee

Mr. Wentworth smiled. "'He is certainly a rather eccentric old gentleman,' he said. "'But I don't believe there is anything very terrible about him. From what Joy tells us, I should judge that he has a rather kind heart. I think he had a good deal of trouble in his life, and that may have soured his disposition.' "'What kind of trouble?' inquired Gladys, to whom the terrible Mr. Hinsdale had suddenly become a person of considerable interest.'

Well, he lost his wife when they were quite young, and then his only daughter ran away from him and married someone he did not like. It all happened a good many years ago, but I have heard about it from people who lived here at the time. Did he always live here in Clam Harbor? Gladys asked. Always in the summer, but I believe he had a home in New York as well, and that his daughter was a very pretty girl, and a great belle in society.

"'I think Mr. Hensdale is a very interesting person,' remarked Gladys. "'I wonder why he didn't like the gentleman his daughter married.'

"'I don't know, I am sure,' said Mr. Wentworth. "'Although we have been neighbors for years, I don't think I have ever exchanged more than a dozen words with the old gentleman. Joy has given us more information about him than I have ever had before, and shown him up in a rather new light, too. Do you think you would really like to call on him again, Joy?' "'Yes, very much,' said Joy promptly.'

the next few days passed very pleasantly gladys was really ashamed of her conduct and made many good resolutions for the future some of which i fear were forgotten before very long she was even kinder and more devoted to joy than before and the little blind girl was very happy there was only one drawback to the perfect enjoyment of everybody and that was miss may

mr wentworth had said a few words to the young governess on the subject of her carelessness in allowing the children to go to the beach by themselves and miss may who objected to being found fault with was in consequence so much less charming than at first that even gladys could not feel very sorry when towards the end of the week there came a letter from sarah saying that her mother was better and that she hoped to return to clam harbor on saturday

"Sarah really isn't so very disagreeable all the time," Gladys admitted on the Saturday evening when Sarah had once more taken up her duties and, contrary to her frequently expressed opinion that sweets were very bad for children, had brought each of the little girls a nice box of Hewlers. "I really think she might be quite nice sometimes if she didn't talk so much about those horrid grams." "Are they really horrid?" Joy inquired in surprise.

i thought they must be about the best people in the world sarah seems to think they are well i'm awfully glad they've gone to europe to live while violet and daisy get educated said gladys i know i should hate them if i ever saw them they are all so terribly good

The next day was Sunday, and as Miss May had left on the previous afternoon, and Mr. Wentworth had gone to spend a few days with some friends, Gladys and Joy had their breakfast by themselves. Gladys had remarked before they came downstairs that she had a headache, and Joy had hoped that it would not be very bad. But Sarah had not appeared at all sympathetic, and had indeed made a rather scathing allusion to Sunday headaches, which Joy had failed to understand.

"It's a beautiful day," remarked Gladys as the two little girls left the breakfast table and came out onto the piazza. "The water looks so pretty with all the boats on it and the sun shining so bright. Wouldn't it be lovely to go down to the beach and stay there all the morning? We could take Uncle Joe's Thanksgiving and I could read such a lot to you." "It would be nice," assented Joy. "But wouldn't it make your head ache worse to read?"

"Oh, no, it always feels better out in the air, but when I get into a hot stuffy place it's dreadful sometimes." "Do you think Sarah would take us to the beach?" Joy asked. "No, I guess not, not unless you coaxed her very hard anyway. She'd do more for you than she would for anyone else. Won't you tell her you want to go very much indeed?" "Yes, if you want me to, but why doesn't she like to take us?"

Why, because it's Sunday, of course. She hates doing things on Sunday. She says because they're wrong, but I know it's just because she's got her best clothes on and she's so afraid of spoiling them. Oh dear, I do hate Sunday anyway, don't you? No indeed. I think Sunday is the nicest day in the whole week. Aggie and I always have such happy times together on Sunday.

There was a little quiver in Joy's voice as the recollection suddenly came over her that Aggie must be spending a rather lonely Sunday today. "But you hate going to church, don't you?" Gladys demanded rather incredulously. "Why no, I like it very much. There's such lovely music at the church where Aggie and I go and I like the service too, though I do think the sermons are pretty long sometimes, especially when I don't understand them."

"Well, you are a queer girl," said Gladys. Just then some trifling interruption occurred, and nothing more was said on the subject of church-going. The next hour passed very quickly. Gladys described the boats on the Sound, and Joy made up interesting stories about the people who might be in them. Then Sarah, looking more prim and solemn than ever in her black Sunday dress, made her appearance. "Come, children, it is time to get ready for church."

joy rose obediently gladys who had not mentioned the word headache for the past hour suddenly passed her hand across her forehead oh sarah must we go i know it will make my head worse it's such a very warm day

"Nonsense," said Sarah sharply. "If you've got such a bad headache as that, your stomach must be out of order, and I'd better give you a dose of rhubarb and soda. Otherwise, I think you're perfectly able to come to church. These Sunday headaches of yours are getting to be a rather old story."

Gladys sprang to her feet with alacrity. Rhubarb and soda was, in her opinion, the worst medicine that had ever been invented, and she promptly decided that there were some things even worse than going to church on a hot day.

the walk to church was a rather silent one sarah had very strict ideas respecting sunday behavior and she made the two little girls walk in front of her hand in hand and once when some remark of joy struck gladys as rather amusing and they both began to giggle they were promptly silenced by a grave children remember what day it is

joy thought of her happy sundays with agnes and suddenly felt more homesick than she had before done since coming to clam harbor the feeling of homesickness increased rather than diminished when they had reached the church and she found herself settled in one corner of the wentworths family

The sound of the organ made her sad somehow, though it had never done so before, and before she realized what was happening, Joy felt two big tears slowly trickling down her cheeks. She dashed them away as quickly as she could, but almost before they were dry, there were more tears in their place, and the little girl was forced to make a hasty search for her handkerchief.

Gladys, absorbed in looking up the hymns for the day, did not see what was happening, but someone else saw. Someone who, from the moment when the children had taken their seats, had been watching the little blind girl intently, though furtively, from a pair of keen gray eyes, which had not lost any of their keenness for all their owner's seventy years of life. "Someone has been unkind to her," said the old gentleman to himself. "How dare they make her cry!"

and he frowned so darkly and looked so fierce that a small boy in a pew near by felt sure the terrible man with the sharp eyes was frowning at him and he nestled close up to his mother and hid his face on her shoulder

But when the service actually began, Joy forgot to be homesick. She remembered all at once that Aggie was probably listening to that same service, though far away in the hot city, and the recollection seemed to bring her nearer to her sister. A sense of peace and content stole into her heart, and by the time the sermon began, she was her own bright, happy self once more. "Joy!" whispered Gladys, as they walked down the aisle together.

there's mr hensdale right in front of us he was looking at you i saw him i'd like to say good morning to him said joy eagerly would you really dare inquired gladys in a tone that was half frightened and half admiring why yes of course why shouldn't i he was very kind and i like him very much

They had spoken in whispers, but at that moment Mr. Hensdale, who had been walking rapidly down the aisle, looking neither to the right nor left, suddenly stopped short as he reached the door and faced about almost as if he heard what Joy was saying. Gladys gave a little gasp. "'Oh dear,' she said, feeling rather frightened. "'You'll have to speak to him now. I do believe he's waiting for you.'

"I'm glad," said Joy simply. "I wanted to speak to him. Will you tell me when we get close to him, in case he doesn't speak first?" Little Joy St. Clair had no idea of the sensation she was causing in the Clam Harbor church that Sunday morning, when, in response to a warning pinch from Gladys, she paused suddenly and held out her hand to the terrible Mr. Hensdale, the eccentric old gentleman who is known at least by sight to nearly everyone present

and who, in all the long years during which he had been a member of that congregation, had never to the knowledge of anyone present been voluntarily addressed by any child before. "'Good morning,' she said quite as pleasantly and naturally as if she had been addressing any ordinary mortal. "'Gladys told me you were here and I wanted to speak to you.'

Gladys gasped, and were it not for her good resolutions, would have felt more than a little inclined to run away a second time. Even Sarah, who had of course heard the story of the thunder-shower, gave a slight start, and instinctively put out her hand to draw Joy away. But Mr. Hensdale, although he had not uttered a word, had taken the child's hand and was holding it fast.

this is gladys joy went on innocently i have told her all about you and what a nice time i had at your house the other day i hope your housekeeper is well would you like to come and see her again mr hensdale inquired brusquely he did not look at gladys or sara but the eyes that rested on joy's little upturned face had nothing stern or terrible in their expression

"Yes, I should like to very much," said Joy without the least sign of hesitation. "Very well, come home and dine with me then. I'll see that you get back to your friends all right this afternoon." Joy hesitated. "May I go, Sarah?" she asked, turning to the maid. "I think perhaps," began Sarah, showing more signs of embarrassment than were usual with her, but Mr. Hensdale cut her short.

"'You needn't make any objections,' he said shortly. "'If the child wants to come, she shall.' "'As you wish, sir, of course,' returned Sarah, beginning to look offended. "'The children being left in my care, and Mr. Wentworth being away, I thought—' "'Fiddlesticks,' interrupted the old gentleman. "'Do you want to come with me, child, or not? We agreed the other day that you were not afraid of me.'

"'I should like it,' said Joy. "'That is,' she added, blushing. "'If Gladys and Sarah don't mind.' "'I don't mind,' said Gladys in a flutter of excitement. "'And Sarah doesn't either. "'She only thinks she's got to object.'

so the matter was settled and the congregation were rendered almost paralyzed with stupefaction by the sight of the eccentric mr hensdale the terror of half the children in the neighborhood calmly walking down the church path with the little blind girl clinging to his hand

serenely unconscious of the sensation she was causing. Joy chattered away happily to her companion, telling him about the pleasant time she was having, until, just as they were turning from the village street into the road that led to Hensdale Place, the old gentleman suddenly interrupted her with a question. "What were you crying for in church?" Joy gave a little start, and the color deepened in her cheeks.

i'm sorry you saw me she said it was very silly but i think i was a little bit homesick just for a few minutes what made you homesick was it some more of that wentworth child's doing eh oh no no indeed cried joy eagerly

gladys is very kind and i love her ever so much but you see i have hardly ever been to church before without my sister and i couldn't help thinking of her and wondering if she missed me and so well i couldn't help it you seem to be very fond of that sister of yours remarked mr hensdale she's very good to you i suppose

"Good to me," echoed Joy. "She's the very best sister in the world. Why, she takes care of me. She has taken care of me ever since Papa died. We've only got each other." "Father and mother both dead?" "Yes, my mother died when I was a baby." "But you've got other relations, I suppose." "No, there is no one but Aggie and me."

Mr. Hinsdale asked no more questions, and Joy, feeling suddenly a little shy and uncomfortable, relapsed into silence. Arrived at the house, Mr. Hinsdale led his little guest into the parlor, and once more, as on the occasion of Joy's first visit, he called loudly for Hannah. The housekeeper speedily made her appearance and greeted Joy very warmly.

she seemed rather nervous and fluttered and her voice sounded so odd and unsteady that joy was puzzled and wondered if the old woman might not be unhappy about something and was only making an effort to appear cheerful in compliance with a request from mr hensdale the housekeeper took joy upstairs to take off her hat

She led the child into a large, cool room on the second floor. After taking off Joy's straw hat, she brushed out her long curls and smoothed her white dress. "I want you to look just as nice as possible," she said. "Mr. Hensdale likes to have people look pretty." "You are very kind," said Joy gratefully. "I hope you haven't got a headache." "A headache? No, indeed. What made you think I had?"

i thought your voice sounded a little the way my sister's does when she has a headache that's all but i suppose i made a mistake how very nicely you brush my hair do you like little girls indeed i do very much especially little girls like you did you ever know anyone else who was like me joy inquired with deep interest how do you mean like you why who couldn't see you know

The housekeeper laid down her brush, but her hand still rested lovingly on Joy's soft curls. "No," she said, and Joy was quite sure there was a tremble in her voice now. "I never knew anyone who couldn't see, but I did know a little girl who was very much like you. Did you like her very much?" Joy asked softly. Something in the housekeeper's tone made her feel sure that the little girl must be either dead or far away now.

i think i loved her better than i have ever loved anyone else in this world i was her nurse and i took care of her always from the time she was a baby until she married with a sudden impulse the old woman stopped and drew joy into her arms you are very very like that little girl she said and the child could feel the hot tears on her forehead

"'I thought so the first time I saw you, and so did Mr. Hensdale. "'I think that is why he asked you to come home with him today, "'for he loved that little girl too.'

Joy would have very much liked to ask where the little girl was now, but something in the housekeeper's manner made her sure the subject must be a sad one, and being a very tactful child, she wisely decided to ask no more questions. But she kissed old Hannah and stroked her wrinkled face, and then the housekeeper dried her eyes and they both went downstairs again.

they found mr hensdale waiting for them in the hall and as dinner was already on the table he gave his arm rather ceremoniously to joy and led her to the dining-room

that dinner was a rather solemn meal joy felt very small and just a little bit uncomfortable when she found herself seated in the big leather arm-chair opposite her host but she made a great effort to appear at her ease and neither mr hensdale who watched her so keenly nor the solemn butler to whom the sight of a child at the table was a new and rather startling experience noticed anything beyond the fact that the visitor was a perfect little lady

the dinner itself was very good and served in much more style than joy was accustomed to even at the wentworths there were a good many courses but mr hensdale himself did not appear to be enjoying his dinner very much and once he spoke rather sharply to the butler because some dish was not served quite to his fancy

joy wondered a little at this she had been taught that it was not considered good table manners to make remarks about the food but she reflected that mr hensdale was an old gentleman and mr wentworth said he had had trouble perhaps trouble did make people fretful sometimes though it had never made aggie so

mr hensdale did not talk very much himself but he seemed to like to hear joy talk and the little girl mindful of her duties as visitor really did her best to entertain the grim silent old gentleman whose eyes though she did not know it seldom left her face

Once or twice she stopped, thinking her host might prefer silence, but he was sure to draw her out again by some adroit question, so that before dinner was over he had learned a good many things about joy and joy's life.

After dinner, Mr. Hensdale took his little guest out onto the piazza, and in a few minutes he asked her if she would like to go out into the garden and greenhouses to smell the flowers. Joy was delighted, and the old gentleman gave her his arm again and led her away to what the little girl afterwards described to Gladys as the most beautiful place she had ever been in her life.

if mr hensdale had one passion it was his love for flowers he was always gentler and more like other people when he was in his garden and greenhouses though even there his violent temper would sometimes break out and woe betide the gardener who was found neglecting his duty

the old gentleman was delighted with joy's evident admiration of his favorites and he led her about from bed to bed letting her touch and smell to her heart's content and telling her many interesting things about the different rare plants altogether that hour among the flowers was a very happy one and when they returned to the house joy's arms were loaded with an enormous bouquet and her face was shining with pleasure

"'Now I suppose you'll be wanting to get back to your friends next door,' Mr. Hensdale said as they mounted the piazza steps. "'I suppose I'd better,' said Joy a little regretfully. "'I'd like to stay longer, but Gladys may be wondering why I don't come home. "'Like to stay longer, would you?' Joy was sure there was a note of real pleasure in the gruff voice. "'Perhaps you won't mind coming again sometime to smell the flowers?'

i should like to come very much indeed said joy smiling but not only just to smell the flowers not only to smell the flowers eh what else to see you sir you're not afraid of me then no indeed not one single bit and you don't consider me an old bear i believe that is the reputation i have amongst most of my neighbors

Joy laughed. "'I think you are just as good as you can be,' she said. "'And I like you ever and ever so much.'" End of chapter 8. Chapter 9 of The Little Girl Next Door This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Read by Marie Christian. The Little Girl Next Door by Nina Rhodes.

Chapter 9. Joy's Birthday. Aren't you going to wake up soon, Joy? It's almost seven o'clock and I came to wish you many happy returns of the day. Joy opened her eyes and put out one hand in a sleepy, uncertain way. The hand touched Gladys' soft, round arm and Joy became aware of the fact that her friend, still in her nightgown, was sitting on the edge of the bed. What's the matter? She inquired drowsily. Is it morning?

"'Yes, of course. And oh, Joy, have you forgotten what day it is?' Joy sat up with a start. "'It's my birthday,' she said, laughing. "'I remember now, but I was so sleepy I couldn't think of anything just at first. It seems only about ten minutes since I went to bed.'

"'It's ten hours,' returned Gladys. "'We were in bed when the clock struck nine, and now it's just striking seven. "'Do hurry up and get dressed. I want to show you your presents, and they're all downstairs.' "'Presents!' exclaimed Joy, beginning a hasty search for her bath slippers. "'You don't mean I'm really going to have presents, do you?'

"Of course I do. Doesn't everyone have presents on birthdays? It was awfully hard not to tell you about them last night when Papa brought them home from the city. They're such nice ones, I know you'll like them."

there was no need of urging joy to hurry after that she was every bit as eager to see the presents as gladys was to show them and made such rapid progress in her toilet that in less than half an hour the two little girls were racing down the broad oak staircase joy making almost as good speed as her friend this time

here they are cried gladys as they entered the dining-room all on the table by your plate may i open them or do you want to do it yourself joy thought she would like to do it herself and gladys stood by curbing her impatience as best she could while the little blind girl with fingers that trembled with pleasant excitement untied the parcels

"Oh!" cried Joy rapturously as she unfolded the soft tissue paper from around the largest of the four packages. "It's a doll! Such a beautiful one, with long hair and a silk dress, just like my old Virginia that I used to have in the South!"

"That's from me," said Gladys triumphantly. "I described your Virginia to Papa and he tried to get one just as much like her as he could. You said she was your favorite, you know, and I thought you'd like to have another just like her. She's got a pink silk dress on and her clothes all come off and on." "Oh, thank you so much," said Joy, hugging her friend and her new treasure at the same time.

"It will be such fun to have her to play with when I'm by myself all day. I can talk to her and pretend she's my child. That'll be ever so much nicer than playing 'imaginary people.'" "But you haven't opened your other presents. This one's from Papa." "Why? What is it?" exclaimed Joy in a rather puzzled tone. "It feels like a round box, but there isn't any place to open it.

"Here's a little key. Oh, Gladys, I do believe it's a music box." "Yes, of course it is. I knew you'd love it. I'll show you how to wind it. But let me do it the first time. I can so much quicker." "There, isn't it pretty? Papa said he picked out the sweetest toned one they had in the store. There are twelve tunes, and you can get more any time you like." Joy clasped her hands in rapture too intense for speech.

and here's something from sarah i know what it is for i saw her making it it's a bag for you to keep your knitting in and it's awfully pretty too now here's the last and it came by express it must be from your sister i'm sure it's a handkerchief case and half a dozen nice new handkerchiefs said joy touching the most precious gift of all with loving fingers aggie must have made the case herself in the evenings wasn't it good of her

She does get so tired, and it's such hard work for her to do anything these hot nights. Oh dear Aggie, how I wish I could give her a great big hug. That certainly was a delightful birthday. If Aggie had only been with her, Joy felt sure it would have been the very most delightful she ever had.

Mr. Wentworth and Sarah were both more than satisfied with the thanks they received, and everyone was so kind that even the thought of the absent sister could not make Joy sad for many minutes at a time. "'Joy,' said Gladys, coming out onto the piazza about an hour after breakfast. "'Did you tell Mr. Hensdale about today's being your birthday?' "'Yes,' said Joy, pausing for a moment in the letter she was writing to Aggie.

he asked me how old i was and i said i would be eleven to-day i wonder if he'll send you a present remarked gladys throwing herself lazily into the hammock sarah thinks perhaps he will he's so fond of you oh no said joy i'm sure he won't i don't believe he even remembers i told him about it

"'Well, he's awfully fond of you anyway,' persisted Gladys. "'He asked you to dinner last Sunday, and Tuesday he took you for a drive, and yesterday he sent you over all those lovely flowers. Sarah and Lizzie were talking about it, and Lizzie says she was sure he must be losing his mind.' "'Oh dear, I hope he isn't,' said Joy, beginning to look distressed. "'What makes Lizzie think so?' "'Why, because his servants say there must be something queer the matter with him.'

"'He never has company, you know, and he has never been kind to anybody before. "'Oh, here comes the express wagon. Perhaps it's another present for you.' "'I guess not,' said Joy, smiling, though she still looked troubled. "'There isn't anyone else to send me one.' "'It's a great big package, anyhow,' announced Gladys with interest. "'I'm just going to see who it's for.'

She darted off but was back again in less than a minute, crying excitedly. "It's for you, Joy, it really is. I saw your name, Joy St. Clair, on the paper. Oh, do come quick and let's see what it is." Down went slate and paper and away flew Joy to the front hall, where Lizzie the waitress was already untying the cord from around the mysterious parcel.

"'Why, it's books!' cried Gladys. "'Great big books, the kind you read, Joy.' "'Yes, they are that kind. I see the raised things on the covers.' With a little joyful cry the blind child sprang forward, and next moment she was down on the floor, hugging the three large bulky volumes in a rapturous embrace. "'It's little women!' she gasped.

The book I've been wanting for so long, and that Aggie was going to get from me when her book came out. Oh, I'm so happy, I'm so happy!" "Do you suppose she sent it?" Gladys inquired. To her, books had never seemed such very interesting articles, and she was a little surprised at Joy's delight over this present. "No, I'm sure she didn't. She wouldn't have sent it here. And besides, she sent the handkerchiefs and the case.

who do you suppose did send it then i think i'm almost sure that it was mr hinsdale i told him about how i loved reading with my fingers and he asked me where books in raised print were sold oh how good he is how awfully awfully good and to the utter amazement of both gladys and lizzie the little blind girl burst into tears

oh please don't mind she sobbed half crying and half laughing i know i'm dreadfully silly but oh i do love books so and to have this one i've been wanting for so long it's all just like a dream i suppose you'd like to go over and thank mr hensdale for his present said sarah coming into joy's room later in the morning

joy who was kneeling beside the bed turning the pages of her precious new book turned around with a start i should like it very much indeed she said eagerly i didn't like to ask you to take me because i thought you were busy well i guess i can take you now you won't want to stay long i suppose oh no only just to thank him i'm sure he must have sent me the book he's the only person who knew anything about my wanting it you see

Sarah said she thought it very probable, especially as Mr. Hensdale had already shown a desire to be kind, and in a few minutes they were on their way to the Hensdale place. Joy had asked Gladys to accompany them, but although much interested in the terrible Mr. Hensdale, Gladys had not yet sufficiently overcome her awe of him to care for a closer acquaintance, and declined the invitation, saying she would rather hear all about it when Joy came back.

Mr. Hinsdale's front door was opened by the solemn-faced butler, who, in answer to Sarah's inquiry, replied that the old gentleman had gone to the village, but was expected home very soon, and requested them to wait. "'Mr. Hinsdale seemed to think you might come this morning, miss,' he said to Joy. "'And he told me that if you came while he was out, I was to ask you to wait.' Sarah looked a little doubtful.

i can't wait very well she said but i will leave you and come back for you in about an hour will that do it isn't twelve yet and you will be at home in plenty of time for lunch joy professed herself quite satisfied with this arrangement and after settling her comfortably on the parlor sofa sarah departed promising to return before long

it was very cool and pleasant in mr hindale's parlor and joy found the contrast to the hot july sunshine out of doors very refreshing she leaned back in her corner of the big comfortable sofa and gave herself up to pleasant reflections

How good everyone was to her, how delighted Aggie would be when she heard about little Prudy. What a beautiful birthday she was having. She was glad now that Aggie had persuaded her to stay another week at Clam Harbor. As the Wentworths wanted her, instead of going home in time for her birthday, as had been their original plan. It was only two weeks till the first of August, and Mrs. Winthrop had fully decided to leave town on the first.

Miss Scott had brought back glowing accounts of the Vermont farmhouse where Aggie had decided to engage board for a fortnight. Oh, how delightful everything was going to be, and how very, very happy she was. Joy wondered if many other little girls were quite as happy as she.

These pleasant reflections were suddenly checked by the sound of approaching footsteps and voices. Mr. Hensdale had returned and was speaking to someone whom he had evidently found waiting for him. "No, I tell you no, I don't want to hear another word on the subject," was the first sentence which reached Joy's ears, and there was no doubt that Mr. Hensdale was really angry this time.

the little girl started nervously and drew further back into her corner with a little irrepressible shiver at the sound of the loud harsh voice then another voice spoke a woman's voice this time but you won't be afther makin us go to-day while me little tommy's so sick he can't lav his bed and me that we're sittin up all night that it's all i could do to hold me head up at all will you be quiet thundered mr hensdale

i have told you before that i wouldn't listen to another word i have ordered the men to call and take away your furniture this afternoon and that's the end of it that cottage is to be cleared of your belongings before to-night i have let you off too many times already i'll have no more of your shiftless shilly-shallying ways

and what's to become of us wailed the woman beginning to cry oh mr hinsdale think of it me a widder woman wid five little childer and no place to lay our heads and tommy so sick you know we always paid the rent regular wid pat was alive but wid the childer's clothes wearin out and the washin comin in so slow oh mr hinsdale dear

But already the front door had closed with a bang and Mr. Hensdale's footsteps were rapidly approaching the parlor. "Hello!" exclaimed the old gentleman, catching sight of his little visitor as he entered the room. "So you've come to see the old man again, have you?" "That's right. Well, how goes the world today?" Joy had risen and came slowly forward. She was very quiet and all the bright look of happiness had gone suddenly out of her face.

i came to thank you she said for the books you know i am sure you sent them mr hensdale laughed and he took joy's little hand in his well i suppose i did what of it do you like them oh so very much better than anything else you could possibly have given me

"'Well, now that's good. But what's the matter? You look as if there was something you didn't like. Has anyone been making you cry again? Only let me find out who it is and I'll—' "'No, oh no, sir,' interrupted Joy with crimsoning cheeks. "'It's nothing at all. That is, nobody has done anything to me. Only I'm so very sorry for that poor woman.' "'What poor woman?'

the woman you were talking to outside please don't be angry about it but i couldn't help hearing what you said and and she seemed to be in such dreadful trouble mr hensdale was silent for a moment and joy could not see the expression on his face then he said slowly and in a voice that was almost gentle so that's the trouble is it

"'Well, listen to me and don't make yourself unhappy about what you don't understand. That woman isn't worth one tear from you or anyone else. She's a miserable, shiftless creature without enough sense to keep soul and body together.'

She lives in one of my houses in the village, and not a cent of rent have I been able to get from her for more than six months. I've let her off three times already, and I'm about tired of it. I've told her she and her family have got to pack out this very day, and I mean what I say, too." Joy said nothing but the blue, unseeing eyes were full of tears, and she kept her lips drawn tight to keep them from quivering.

Mr. Hensdale saw the tears, and he tapped his foot impatiently on the carpet. "'Not satisfied yet, eh? Well, what would you like to have me do?' "'She said her little boy was very sick,' said Joy softly. "'And there were five little children. Where will they go when they have to leave your house?'

"I don't know, I'm sure. Those people always have plenty of friends to take them in. Anyway, it's no affair of ours. Now sit down and tell me all about these wonderful birthday presents." Joy sat down and began an account of the morning's pleasures. But the glad sound had gone out of her voice, and more than once she had to pause in her story in order to steady that troublesome little catch in her voice. Mr. Hinsdale watched her with a troubled look.

When Joy had finished describing the birthday presents, there was a rather long pause. Joy found it necessary to wink rather hard to keep back the rebellious tears, which every moment threatened to overflow. Suddenly Mr. Hensdale put out his hand and laid it on the little curly head beside him. "I'm glad you like the books," he said, and there was actually a note of embarrassment in his voice.

I'm not accustomed to making birthday presents to young ladies, and I don't always know what would be most acceptable. I got the book because you seem to think you might like to have it, but... Well, the fact is, I want to give you something else besides. Something else besides? Repeated joy in a tone of bewilderment. Oh, no, Mr. Hensdale, indeed I shouldn't like to have you give me anything more. The book is beautiful, and I shall just love reading it, but...

Never mind about the buts. I've made up my mind to give you something else besides, and I'd like to have you tell me what it shall be. Joy hesitated for a moment, then her cheeks flushed, and a light of sudden hope came into her face. Do you really, really mean you would like to have me tell you what I'd rather have than anything else? She asked. I generally mean what I say. Joy clasped her hands.

Then, she said slowly, I would like better than anything else, yes, better than anything you could possibly buy from me, that you would let that poor woman and her children stay in your house a little longer.

Joy paused. She was almost afraid to hear Mr. Hensdale's answer, but if she could have seen the expression in the eyes looking down upon her, she would not have been afraid. There was a moment's silence. Then Mr. Hensdale laughed. Oh, the relief to Joy in the sound of that laugh. "'Well, you've got your wish,' he said, patting Joy's head, and notwithstanding the fact that he was laughing, his voice was not quite steady.'

"I've given my promise, and you've caught me this time, sure. Bridget Flanagan shall stay in her cottage for another month at least," said Joy, and there was no need of another word. Her radiant face was quite enough to convince Mr. Hensdale of her gratitude. "And can we go now and tell Mrs. Flanagan she is to stay?" said Joy a few minutes later. "She must be so dreadfully worried and unhappy, you know."

"'Perhaps she may be hanging about somewhere,' said Mr. Hensdale, "'hoping I may be induced to change my mind. "'I'll go and have a look.' "'He left the room but very soon returned with the information "'that Mrs. Flanagan had gone home. "'The butler had seen her walking down the road, crying as she went. "'Joy began to look distressed again.'

"Oh, couldn't you send someone to tell her?" she said eagerly. "She's so unhappy, and suppose the men should come to take away her things before she knew she was going to stay." Mr. Hensdale glanced at the clock. "I'll tell you what we'll do," he said. "You shall go and tell her yourself. It's all you're doing anyway, and she might as well know it. I'm not much in the habit of changing my mind about things myself."

i'll order the trap and drive you down to the village and back before lunch fifteen minutes later joy her face once more wreathed in smiles was seated by mr hensdale's side in the latter's high dog-cart and mr hensdale's black horse was carrying them rapidly in the direction of the home of mrs bridget flanagan

it was in a narrow unattractive little back street before a small rather unprepossessing looking cottage that mr hensdale at last brought the black horse to a stand and throwing the reins to the groom who sat behind sprang to the ground and lifted joy from her high seat

It was a rather novel proceeding on the part of the eccentric Mr. Hensdale, to be calling on one of the tenants for the purpose of informing her that she might remain in her cottage, rent-free, for a month, and perhaps the very novelty of it caused the old gentleman to quite enjoy the sensation. He led Joy up a narrow path bordered with clothes-lines, and knocked at the door of the cottage, which was opened after a short delay, by Bridget Flanagan herself.

A very untidy, slovenly-looking person she was, and perhaps there was some reason for Mr. Hensdale's opinion of her character. But her eyes were red from crying, and there was no doubt as to the fact of her being in real trouble. At sight of her visitors, the woman started back with an exclamation of dismay. "Well, Mrs. Flanagan," began Mr. Hensdale, who never wasted time in unnecessary words.

this is miss joy st clair and she has come to tell you that you may stay in this house for another month the woman clasped her hands and burst into a rather incoherent torrent of gratitude and blessings in the midst of which mr hensdale cut her short

there's nothing to thank me for he said in his harsh abrupt voice if the matter had rested with me you'd all have packed out of here this afternoon but i promised this young lady a birthday present and she took it into her head to request that you and your family should be allowed to stay here for another month the torrent of mrs flanagan's gratitude was immediately turned upon joy

"'May the saints in heaven bless you for a dear, sweet little lady, and may you neither know the touch of sorrow yourself. And it's praying for you we'll all be this night. In another month I'll be able to pay the rent with the insurance money that's coming to me. You've saved us all, and poor little Tommy's so sick I could never get him out of bed, however hard I tried.' "'There, that will do,' interrupted Mr. Hensdale. "'We haven't time to hear any more. Come along, Joy.'

and wouldn't you be after stepping inside just to have a look at poor little tommy said mrs flanagan he's awful sick poor little felly the others is all out playing on the shore no i thank you said mr hensdale shortly i'm not fond of sick children he was drawing joy away but the child hesitated don't you think i might go in for a minute she whispered it might please mrs flanagan and i'd like to see her poor little boy

very well do if you like only don't stay long it's nearly lunch time here mrs flanagan this young lady would like to say a word to your boy she can't see so be careful she doesn't get hurt this information elicited a fresh torrent of words from mrs flanagan this time they were expressions of pity

But Joy, who was accustomed to hearing herself spoken of as a poor, unfortunate child, was not much affected by these exclamations, and she accompanied the Irishwoman into the house and up the steep narrow stairs into a tiny bedroom which struck the child as being very hot and close. "Oh Tommy, darlin'!" began Mrs. Flanagan as they entered the room.

here's a sweet beautiful little lady come to see you and it's blind she is poor little crater and niver a bit of the sun can she see but she's come with good news to us this day for it's mr hinsdale that's brought her and we ain't to be turned out nor for another month and by that time i'll have the insurance money ain't that foine news tommy the only answer was a faint fretful moan from the bed and the demand in a weak childish whisper

"Give me a drink." "Oh, Tommy," remonstrated the mother, "you do be askin' for drinks every minute all day. So much cold wather ain't good for little byes." "I'm awful dry. Oh, mammy, do give me a drink." "Poor little boy," said Joy pityingly. "I don't believe it will hurt him, and it must be dreadful to feel so thirsty."

Mrs. Flanagan left Joy standing in the middle of the room while she went down to get some water, but Joy, guided by the sound of Tommy's sobs, for the sick child had begun to cry, speedily made her way to the bedside and laid a soft, cool little hand on the boy's burning forehead. "'Why, Tommy, how very hot your head is!' she exclaimed, drawing back a step and feeling a little frightened, though she could not have told why. "'Does it ache very badly?'

"'It hurts awful,' said Tommy. "'And me throat, too. It hurts all over.' "'I'm so sorry,' said Joy, stroking one of the little hot hands which lay outside the sheet. "'I guess you'll feel better soon. Here comes your mother with a nice drink for you.' Tommy sat up in bed and held out his hands eagerly for the glass his mother carried, but when he had drained its contents at a gulp, he sank back again on the pillow with a moan.

"I'm afraid he's very sick," said Joy anxiously. "Haven't you had a doctor to see him?" "Not yet, but I'll have one this afternoon if he ain't better. Dr. Brown will come if I send one of the childer for him. He's a good man and very kind to poor people. Maybe I'd better be taking you down again now for fear Mr. Hensdale would be waiting for you. Yes, I guess I'd better go. Goodbye, Tommy. I hope you'll be ever so much better tomorrow."

i niver did see nuttin so sudden in all my life said mrs flanagan as she led joy down the stairs he was as well as could be yisterday marnin and it was only last night as he was took like this all in a minute how old is he joy inquired with interest eight goin on nine and a foine big buy for his age he niver had a day's sickness since he was born i don't understand what's the matter wid him at all

Mr. Hensdale was waiting rather impatiently, and he hurried Joy into the dog-cart, cutting short Mrs. Flanagan's farewell hope that the sweet little angel would have double sight in heaven. He did not appear very much interested in Tommy either, although Joy told him all about the poor little sick boy, whose head felt so hot, and who kept asking for drinks every minute.

indeed joy had an idea that he was thinking of something else and did not pay much attention to what she was saying he was very kind though and he drove her all the way home instead of stopping at his own house and leaving her to walk back with sarah goodbye and thank you a hundred million times said joy as her friend lifted her down from the dog-cart at the wentworths front door

i really think this is the loveliest birthday i ever had i wish i could give you something you've made me so awfully awfully happy give me a kiss then said the old man suddenly bending his head down to a level with joy's that's about as good as anything else i guess next moment joy's arms were around his neck

"'Oh, you dear, kind Mr. Hensdale!' she cried, kissing him heartily. "'I can't ever tell how happy you've made me and how much I thank you. "'It was the first time in many a year that Mr. Hensdale had felt the touch of a child's arms or of a child's lips.'" End of chapter 9 Chapter 10 of The Little Girl Next Door This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.

for more information or to volunteer please visit the little girl next door by nina rhodes little tommy what's the matter with you this afternoon joy you don't seem one bit interested in anything gladys tone was decidedly impatient and joy who had been lying back in the hammock with closed eyes hastened to assume a more upright position

i'm sorry i was stupid she said apologetically i didn't mean to be but i guess it's because i've got such a bad headache i believe you've been asleep most of the time gladys went on still unmolefied and i've been reading to you such a nice story too i think margery's quest is one of the most interesting books in the world

it is a lovely story joy assented blushing i liked it ever so much but i'm afraid i did fall asleep for a few minutes i've been sleepy all day to-day and my head feels so funny and heavy don't tell sarah about it or she'll make you take rhubarb and soda i'm sorry you've got a headache perhaps we stayed out too long with the pony this morning it was pretty hot in the sun

i didn't mind it said joy i was chilly then and the sun felt so good and warm but i'm hot now and my throat feels so dry and queer i guess you're getting a cold my throat always feels like that when i have one shall we go and ask zara to take us down to the beach now she said she'd be ready at four o'clock you know joy hesitated

would you mind very much if i didn't go she asked rather wistfully i'm afraid it'll make my head worse to walk in the sun and i just feel like staying quiet but you're going away the day after to-morrow urged gladys we've only got one more day to be together do come i'll get your hat and i know the nice cool air on the beach will make your head better

all right said joy getting out of the hammock and wondering vaguely why every exertion seemed such an effort to-day it was ten days since joy's birthday and in two more the little blind girl was to return to her city home next week she and aggie were to start on that delightful long-anticipated trip to the mountains

joy was very happy and yet ever since the morning when she had first felt those little uncomfortable chills running up and down her back even the thought of the pleasant times in store for her had seemed to make her feel tired all over gladys ran into the house for their hats returning in a few moments accompanied by sarah and the three started in the direction of the beach

don't you feel well to-day joy sarah inquired rather suspiciously she could not help noticing how slowly the little blind girl was walking and what a listless tired expression had replaced the radiant one on her face oh i'm all right thank you said joy admonished by a warning pinch from gladys and the recollection of the threatened rhubarb and soda i guess i've got a little cold but that's all

"'Zara said no more, and they had nearly reached the lane which led down to the beach, when the sound of approaching wheels caused Gladys to turn her head and exclaim in a tone of some interest, "'It's Mr. Hinsdale in his dog-cart. Perhaps he'll ask you to take a drive with him.' In another moment the black horse had been brought to a standstill, and Mr. Hinsdale's loud voice was calling, "'Hullo, Joy! Want to come for a drive?'

Joy looked doubtful, but Gladys, with unusual unselfishness, hastened to set her friend's fears at rest by whispering.

go if you want to i don't mind so joy smiled and accepted the invitation and in less than two minutes the little blind girl had been lifted into the high seat beside the old gentleman and the black horse was carrying them over the ground at a pace which might have frightened some little girls but which seemed very delightful to joy to whom the sensation of fear was almost an unknown experience

"'Well, and what have you been doing with yourself lately?' Mr. Hinsdale inquired, as they turned from the main road into a shady lane, where the air felt cooler and more refreshing on Joy's hot forehead. "'Oh, I've been having a lovely time,' said Joy, trying to speak in her usual cheerful tone, but finding something of an effort. "'Gladys and I went for a long drive with the pony this morning, and yesterday we had a picnic dinner on the beach. I haven't seen you for ever so long. I was wondering where you were.'

"'Did you really? Well, now, that's quite flattering. Young ladies don't, as a rule, trouble themselves to worry about me, or to care what becomes of me either. I had to go to the city on business, and as I'm not fond of travelling, I stayed there until it was finished. I only came home last night.' "'I'm going home the day after to-morrow,' Joy said. Mr. Hinsdale frowned. "'Going home, are you? Where's home?' "'Why, in New York, with my sister.'

you can't go to new york in this hot weather what's wentworth thinking of to let you do such a thing oh but i've made a very long visit already said joy earnestly besides i'm not going to stay in new york now next week my sister has her vacation and we're going away to a beautiful place in vermont and when are you coming back here i should like to know

oh i don't know said joy smiling not before next summer anyway the wentworths live in new york in winter you know look here said mr hinsdale with sudden decision this won't do at all you've got to come back you've got to come and make me a visit joy was very much flattered would you really like to have me she asked i don't really ask people unless i want them how would you like to come and live with me altogether eh

mr instale asked this startling question in just the same tone in which he might have asked her to take a drive with him and for a moment joy thought she must have misunderstood his meaning to live with you sir she repeated blankly to-to be your little girl you mean that's just what i do mean to be my little girl

joy was almost too astonished to speak you're very kind she faltered very kind indeed but you see i could never leave aggie bother about aggie can't she get on without you i don't think she could said joy and anyway i couldn't get on without her you've seemed to get on very well without her since you came here

yes but that was only just for a little while i knew we should be together again very soon and even then i've missed her oh i have missed her very much sometimes there was a quiver in joy's voice and a mist of tears in the blue eyes the child could not have told why it was but she was missing her sister more that afternoon than she had done at any time since coming to clam harbour

she thought that if she could only lay her aching head down on aggie's shoulder and feel the touch of aggie's loving arms around her she would be so very very happy mr hinsdale said no more on the subject of joy's return to clam harbour but it was evident that something had disturbed him for he was graver and more silent that afternoon than joy had ever known him to be before

it was a very silent drive altogether for joy herself was not in a talkative mood and preferred sitting quietly in her corner and letting the cool fresh air fan her burning cheeks and forehead to doing anything else they were driving through the village street on their way home when a gentleman who was standing on the sidewalk in front of the drug store came hastily forward and motioned to mr hinsdale to stop

"'I beg your pardon,' he said apologetically, as the old gentleman brought the black horse to a stand. "'But I called at your house this afternoon on rather important business. "'I don't know whether you've heard it or not, but there are some bad cases of scarlet fever in one of your cottages.' "'No, I didn't know it,' said Mr. Hinsdale gruffly. "'Not that it makes any special difference to me that I can see. "'It certainly isn't my fault.' "'No, of course not. "'But I thought you might wish to avoid going near the place.'

"'Did you think I would be afraid of catching a child's disease?' "'Not for yourself, but I thought that possibly,' and the gentleman looked at Mr. Hinsdale's little companion. "'Oh, I see. Well, you needn't worry. I haven't any intention of visiting any of my tenants at present. Which family have the fever?' "'A family by the name of Flanagan. They live in the small white house on the right.' Mr. Hinsdale gave a violent start, and some of the colour went out of his face.'

flannagan he repeated in a very different tone bridget flannagan a widow with several children yes one child died this morning and two more are very ill it's a very bad malignant form of the disease i've been attending the family for the past week

look here brown mr hinsdale leaned forward in his seat and spoke in a rather low voice i'm afraid this is a bad business i did take this little girl to that very house about ten days ago one of the children was ill then but i never dreamed good heavens what are we to do

mr hinsdale was looking fairly frightened and the kind-hearted doctor who had known him for years suddenly realized that there might be a possibility of his eccentric neighbor possessing feelings like other people after all there may not be any cause for alarm he said speaking cheerfully though he looked rather grave which one of the children was ill do you happen to remember

i don't remember but she will know joy turning to the child you remember that house we went to on your birthday don't you you went upstairs with the woman to see a sick child joy who had been sitting with closed eyes paying no attention to the conversation roused herself at this question and the look of interest came back into her face it was tommy she said poor little boy he was very ill and his mother said if he wasn't better soon she was going to ask dr brown to come and see him

mr hinsdale and his companion exchanged glances tommy died this morning the doctor said in a voice too low for joy to catch the words mr hinsdale was actually white what is to be done he asked hopelessly the doctor said nothing but walking round to the other side of the dog-cart he mounted the high step and looked long and searchingly into joy's flushed little face

i am doctor brown he said kindly won't you shake hands with me joy promptly held out her hand did you go to see tommy she asked eagerly and is he quite well again now little tommy is well now and very happy the doctor said holding joy's hot little hand in his and still scanning her face with grave interest but i'm afraid you're not feeling very well yourself to-day are you

"'Not very,' Joy admitted. "'My head aches, and my throat is a little sore, but I guess I'll be all right tomorrow.' "'I hope so. You're not often ill, I suppose?' "'Oh no, I'm never really ill. I was never ill since I was a baby,' my sister says. "'Never ill since you were a baby, eh? You haven't had measles then, or scarlet fever?' "'I did have measles, but I wasn't really ill. The doctor said it was one of the lightest cases he had ever seen.' "'And scarlet fever?'

oh no i never had that aggie my sister had it but it was before i was born the doctor dropped joy's hand and turned once more to mr hinsdale who had been listening to the conversation with rapidly increasing anxiety this child is visiting the wentworths is she not he asked mr hinsdale nodded well i scarcely think it would be right to take her back there just now mr wentworth's little girl ought not to be exposed to danger any more than can be helped

"'You don't mean that you think there is really danger that—' Mr. Hinsdale checked himself abruptly at a sign from the doctor. Joy was leaning forward, wide awake now, and taking in every word that passed. "'I don't say there's anything wrong as yet,' said the doctor rather hastily. "'But this little girl tells me she isn't feeling quite up to the mark to-day, and I thought that under the circumstances it might be better if she could go somewhere else for a day or two, just till we're sure what the trouble really is.'

she shall stay at my house of course said mr hinsdale with decision you won't mind coming to stay with me for a while will you joy oh no said joy i should like it very much but-but does the doctor really think i'm going to have scarlet fever

"'No, no,' said the doctor reassuringly. "'But you see, the fact is little Tommy Flanagan has had scarlet fever, and his two little sisters are ill with it now. And as Mr. Hinsdale tells me you saw Tommy the other day, I thought it might be just as well for you to keep away from your little friend for a few days, just till we're quite sure you're all right, you know.'

joy's lip was quivering and she had to make a great effort to keep back the babyish tears i don't know what to do she said in a rather tremulous voice i shouldn't like to give it to gladys or mr hinsdale or anybody i should like to go home but if i had it at the boarding-house miss scott would be so vexed and perhaps it might make some of the people leave and-and that would be dreadful

a big tear splashed down on joy's cheek but before she could wipe it away or even realize what was happening to her she felt a strong arm around her and mr hinsdale was saying in a tone that very few people had ever heard in that gruff harsh voice before don't cry joy don't my dear it's all right i'm going to take care of you and you are going to be my own little girl now

how it was joy never exactly understood but at the sound of that kind voice all her fears suddenly melted away and with a little sigh of relief and content she let her tired head sink on mr hinsdale's shoulder murmuring softly thank you so much you're always so very kind and i'd rather have you take care of me than any one else in the world except aggie

Half an hour later, Joy was lying in a soft, cool bed in the very room where Hannah had taken her on that first Sunday when she came to dine with Mr. Hinsdale. Hannah herself, with a grave, troubled face, was moving about the room, folding up Joy's clothes and generally setting things in order. "'Hannah,' said Joy suddenly, speaking for the first time since the housekeeper had finished undressing her, "'how long are people ill when they have scarlet fever?'

that depends said hannah sometimes only a little while but the surest way to get well quick is to lie still and not worry about things joy stifled a sigh i do hope i'm not going to have it she said but if i should do you think i'll be well enough to go with aggie to the mountains next week

well i don't know about that said the housekeeper but you'll surely be able to go before long and in the meantime you'll just stay here and we'll have such nice times i love to take care of little girls and it'll seem just like the old times to have somebody to look after did that little girl you told me about the other day ever have scarlet fever inquired joy yes indeed she did and pretty badly too and i nursed her through it in this very room

in this very room repeated joy raising herself on her elbow and looking more interested than she had looked before that day why did that little girl live in this house hannah flushed and looked a little embarrassed well yes she did she said rather reluctantly though i didn't mean to tell you you won't say anything to mr hinsdale about it will you not if you don't want me to but why doesn't mr hinsdale like to hear about it because dear

"'That little girl I used to take care of and who looked so much like you was Mr. Hinsdale's little girl, and when she died I think it almost broke his heart. He never mentions her name now and it might make him unhappy to be reminded of her.' Joy looked a little troubled. "'Do you think he would like to have me stay in her room, then?' she questioned anxiously. "'Perhaps that might make him unhappy, too.'

no it wouldn't said the housekeeper with decision i know that for when he brought you home his very first words to me were is the bed in the blue room made up if so i should like to have you put the child there joy smiled contentedly and laid her head down on the cool pillow once more i'm glad she said i think mr hinsdale must really love me if he wanted me to be in his little girl's room there was a short pause while hannah went quietly on with her arrangements then joy spoke again

you don't remember just how long that little girl was ill i suppose well no i don't exactly it was a good many years ago you see little tommy wasn't ill very long said joy with a sudden hopeful recollection twas only ten days ago that he took the fever and mr brown says he's quite well now quite well and very happy that was just what he said i do hope i shall be well by next week aggie would be so disappointed if she couldn't go to the mountains and she's been in the hot city all summer

oh i don't want to make people unhappy and be a bother and-and joy's sentence ended in a sob now my dear little girl said hannah cheerfully taking one of joy's little hot hands in hers this won't do at all if you fret you'll be sure to make yourself much worse you must try to be very brave and everything's going to come out all right i know why you may not be going to have the fever at all and even if you do it may be very light

"'Would it make you happier if your sister could come and stay with you?' "'Oh, yes, yes, indeed,' cried Joy rapturously. "'That is,' she added with a sudden recollection, "'if you're quite sure she couldn't take the fever herself. "'She had it once, but she might get it again, and that would be so dreadful.' "'I don't think there would be the very least danger,' said the housekeeper promptly, "'though of course we could ask Dr. Brown.'

now i'll tell you what we'll do mr hinsdale has gone over to the wentworths to let them know where you are and to ask them to send some of your things

just as soon as he comes back we'll ask him what he thinks of our sending a little note to your sister telling her about your not being very well and asking her if she wouldn't like to come out here to see you then if it turns out that you haven't got the fever and are all right again to-morrow why you can go back to new york together and everything will be just the same as it was before wouldn't you like that

i should like it better than anything else in the whole world said joy and then she dropped off into a doze and did not speak again for some time when joy next woke to full consciousness she was aware of the fact that the housekeeper was no longer the only person in the room people were talking in low subdued voices and she was sure she recognized the tones of mr hinsdale and also those of dr brown

she made an effort to lift her head but it felt so dizzy and heavy she was glad to let it sink back on the pillow once more next moment the housekeeper was bending over her holding something to her lips swallow this dear she said kindly it's only some medicine to make you feel better the doctor wants you to take it joy promptly swallowed the contents of the spoon wondering vaguely why the mere act of swallowing should hurt her so much then she whispered eagerly did you ask mr hinsdale about aggie

"'Yes, indeed,' said the old gentleman, coming forward and answering for himself. "'It's all right, and your sister shall come to-morrow.' With a sudden movement, Joy put out her hand. "'Oh, thank you so much,' she murmured. "'I think I'd like to kiss you, please.' Mr. Hinsdale bent down his head close to Joy's, and as the child kissed him, she heard him whisper in a tone so low that no one else in the room could hear. "'God bless you.'

God bless my own little joy. Agnes St. Clair was reading aloud to old Mrs. Winthrop.

the day was very warm and the book was not very interesting more than once the old lady had knotted in her chair and she was not making very rapid progress with her knitting but the young girl read on patiently solacing herself every once in a while by a glance at the large trunk in the middle of the room which mrs winthrop's maid was busy packing

this was tuesday and on thursday mrs winthrop expected to leave the city to spend a month with her married son at the seaside it had been a very hot summer and poor agnes was very tired the past three weeks had been specially trying for there had been no bright little face to make the dull boarding-house bedroom look homelike no joy to gliden the long hot evenings with merry chatter and loving caresses

the sale of her book had been a great comfort it is true and she had spent many an otherwise lonely hour in making bright plans for the future but even the prospect of possible fame cannot make up for everything and poor agnes had been very lonely but it was almost over now for to-morrow joy was coming home what did it matter that the day was hot that the book was dull even that mrs winthrop was more fretful and harder to please than usual

what did anything in the world matter when she remembered that to-morrow she would feel the touch of joy's soft arms around her neck and hear her dear voice saying aren't you glad to see me aggie there was a ring at the door-bell and mrs winthrop started up out of a doze who in the world can that be she remarked in a tone of interest the bell doesn't ring at this time of day very often in summer

"'Perhaps it may be those caps you sent for,' Agnes suggested, looking up from her book. "'Perhaps, and if so, I want to try them on to see if they're all right. Go and see, Mary, and don't let the boy go until I have looked at them.' The maid left the room and Agnes went on with her reading. In a very short time Mary returned. "'It's a gentleman to see you, Miss St. Clair.' "'To see me, Mary? Are you sure there isn't some mistake?'

did he give his name for answer the maid handed her a card agnes glanced at it and turned a little pale who is it mrs winthrop inquired sharply mr whitworth the father of the little girl my sister is visiting i am afraid something must be wrong nonsense why should there be anything wrong they probably want the child to make a longer visit that's all

agnes said nothing but hurriedly left the room and in another moment she entered the parlour which looked a rather forlorn place with the half-blinds tightly closed and all the furniture done up in muslin coverings a gentleman was standing by one of the windows and as she entered he turned and came quickly forward miss st clair i believe

although she had often seen him in the street and had had business relations with him respecting the publication of her book this was the first time that agnes had ever spoken to gladys's father yes she said in a rather tremulous voice then raising her eyes to mr wentworth's face and clasping her hands together nervously she added in a different tone joy my little sister she is ill you have come to tell me

"'Now, my dear Miss St. Clair,' said Mr. Wentworth very kindly, and he took Agnes's hand as he spoke, "'there is nothing to be alarmed about. Your little sister is not very well, but we hope, indeed we sincerely trust, there may not be any cause for serious anxiety. Won't you sit down and let me tell you all about it?' Five minutes later, Agnes was again at Mrs. Winthrop's side."

she was very pale and her lips were trembling but she made a great effort to speak cheerfully mrs winthrop she said i must go away at once my little sister has scarlet fever mr wentworth has come to take me home with him joy wants me agnes declared afterward that she had never really known mrs winthrop until that day

all the old lady's fussiness and fretful complaints were forgotten in a moment and she seemed to have but two desires to hasten the girl's departure as much as she could and to say all the cheerful encouraging things that could be said during the few brief moments while agnes was putting on her hat now my dear girl don't go worrying yourself into a fever of your own were her parting words as she held agnes's hand for a moment

remember we all have our worries in this world and scarlet fever isn't necessarily dangerous we've most of us had it i fancy and live to tell the tale there run along i won't keep you drop me a line when you get the chance just to let me know how the little girl is getting on

mr wentworth had a cab and in it they drove straight to miss scott's boarding-house mr wentworth waited outside while agnes ran up to her room to collect a few necessary things miss scott herself opened the door and accompanied the girl upstairs she knew all about what had happened mr wentworth having first called at the boarding-house

and been directed by the landlady to mrs winthrop's the kind-hearted woman was very sorry for her boarder and she too spoke very cheerfully and encouragingly recalling all the cases she had heard of in which people had recovered from scarlet fever with marvellous rapidity and had indeed been scarcely ill enough to be kept in bed

but though agnes was very grateful for the kindly-bent assurances that there was really nothing to be worried about and though she did her best to smile and appear cheerful her heart was very heavy and she was conscious of a foreboding of coming trouble which made her cold and faint with apprehension mr wentworth was very kind how kind agnes did not realize till afterwards

she did not know that he had given up an important business engagement solely that he might see her and take her himself to clam harbour he was very thoughtful for her comfort during the short journey and did his best to entertain her and divert her thoughts but mr wentworth himself was not very happy he had grown very fond of gladys's little blind friend during the few weeks that she had been an inmate of his home

and he had had a little talk with dr brown that morning when he had called at mr hinstale's on his way to the station at last the clam harbour station was reached and agnes with a wildly beating heart followed her companion out of the train to where a carriage was waiting into which mr wentworth helped her she was trembling so much that she found it rather difficult to help herself drive to mr hinstale's place mr wentworth said to the coachman

Agnes gave a little start. Mr. Hinsdale's? she repeated. Why, I thought Joy was at your house. No, you did not understand what I told you. When it was discovered that Joy had taken the fever, Mr. Hinsdale insisted on taking her home with him at once. He did not want my little girl to be exposed to the infection. I was sorry to have Joy taken away from my house, but under the circumstances I felt that I could scarcely object.

"'No, indeed,' said Agnes earnestly. "'It would be terrible if Gladys were to take the fever, too. "'This Mr. Hinsdale has been very kind to Joy. "'She has often spoken of him in her letters. "'He is an eccentric old gentleman,' said Mr. Wentworth, smiling. "'But he has certainly taken a wonderful fancy to Joy. "'I never saw a man more utterly crushed and distressed than he was "'when he came to my house yesterday afternoon to tell me about Joy.'

you know it was while driving with him that they met the doctor who first discovered her illness gladys tells me she had been complaining of a headache all day but no one else knew anything about it no joy never complains said agnes sadly oh mr wentworth i hope gladys will escape she must have been exposed to the infection already if the two children were together all day yesterday

a shade of anxiety crossed mr wentworth's face but he tried to speak cheerfully dr brown does not seem to think there is very much danger as the disease had scarcely reached the contagious point when mr hinsdale took joy home with him he has given gladys the medicine to take as a preventive and of course the children must not meet again until joy is entirely well

i can't help feeling a little uncomfortable at the idea of trespassing on this mr hinsdale's hospitality said agnes colouring he is a perfect stranger you know i really don't think you need worry on that score miss st clair is joy were the old gentleman's own grandchild he could scarcely be more devoted to her than he is now agnes said no more and in a few moments they had turned in at the gates of hinsdale place

What a beautiful old house, exclaimed the girl, struck by the beauty of her surroundings, in spite of her anxiety and suspense. Yes, it is quite the showplace of the neighborhood. I believe Mr. Hinsdale was born here. It seems rather a pity, though, that he should have no one to share it with him now in his old age. I understand the old gentleman has no near relations. Here we are, Miss St. Clair. You will excuse me if I don't go in with you.

dr brown thinks it would be more prudent for me to keep away on account of gladys ah here comes mr hinstale's housekeeper she will be able to give us all the latest news

Hannah, who had been watching for them, came hurrying down the steps to meet Agnes, and, in another moment, the young girl found both her hands taken in a warm, friendly clasp, while a kind, motherly voice said, It's all right, my dear. She's doing just as well as we can expect, the doctor says, and she's been asking for you all day. Agnes gave a little gasp of relief, squeezed the old woman's hands hard, and then turned to say goodbye to Mr. Wentworth.

i don't know how to thank you was all she said but the look that accompanied the words said a great deal more and mr wentworth drove away quite satisfied hannah led the way into the house and upstairs to a pleasant room on the second floor agnes wondered a little where mr hinsdale could be but did not like to ask now you must take off your hat and freshen up a little bit before i take you in to see your little sister said the old woman cheerfully

"'Here's a glass of milk and some crackers. I thought you might be hungry after your journey.' Agnes was not at all hungry, but she did not want to appear ungrateful, so she made no objections when the housekeeper insisted on placing her in a comfortable rocker by the open window, and she forced herself to swallow the milk and to nibble one cracker.

the housekeeper watched her keenly all the time she ate and drank and agnes could not help wondering at the kindly almost tender expression in the old woman's face joy has told me about you and how kind you have been to her she said trying to smile as hannah took away the empty glass i think my little sister has found some very good friends good friends repeated the old woman oh my dear you have no idea

she broke off abruptly and the tears started to her eyes the sight of the tears started agnes into fresh anxiety oh tell me the truth she cried nervously springing to her feet you are keeping something from me i know you are joy is worsen much worse than you want me to know

"'No, no, my dear, no,' said the housekeeper soothingly. "'You mustn't be so frightened. She's pretty sick, I won't deny that, but people generally are with scarlet fever, you know. Mr. Hinstale would insist on having a regular trained nurse, though I told him I could do everything myself just as well as not, but she seems a nice, sensible young woman, and she won't keep us out of the room the way some of them do.'

"'There isn't much I don't know about scarlet fever. "'I can tell you. "'Didn't I nurse Miss Joy through it when she wasn't near as old as this one? "'And didn't the doctor tell me it was one of the worst cases he'd ever seen? "'Miss Joy?' repeated Agnes. "'She thought she must have misunderstood.' "'Hannah reddened and looked as if she had said something she had not meant to say. "'Did I say Miss Joy? "'Whatever was I thinking of? "'It was Mr. Hinsdale's daughter I meant.'

"'I was her nurse, you see. "'Nursed her through everything from the time she was three months old "'till the day she went away to be buried. "'I didn't know Mr. Hinsdale had a daughter,' said Agnes. "'Is she dead?' "'Yes, dear, she's dead. "'She's been dead these many years, "'but little Miss Joy is a breathing image of what she was at her age. "'That's why the child seems to Mr. Hinsdale and me "'just as if she was one of our own.'

"'Can't I go to Joy now?' Agnes asked impatiently. "'Yes, of course. It's only just across the hall. I thought you would like to have your room near hers. You mustn't be frightened if she should seem just a little bit flighty-like. The fever is pretty high just now,' the nurse says, "'but that doesn't amount to anything.' As they came out into the hall again, Agnes caught sight of a tall figure standing rigid and motionless by one of the windows."

"'Is that Mr. Hinsdale?' she asked Hannah in a whisper. The housekeeper nodded, and at that moment the figure turned, and Agnes found herself confronted by a tall, handsome old gentleman, whom she knew must be no other than the kind friend about whom Joy had had so much to say. With a sudden impulse, she went up to him and held out her hand. "'You are very kind to let me come,' she said in a low, sweet voice which caused the old gentleman to start and wince slightly.'

joy has told me a great deal about you and-and i want to thank you for all your kindness to my little sister mr hinsdale did not speak but he took the outstretched hand and held it for a moment in a warm firm clasp while a wave of some painful emotion swept over his face i hope we shall not be very troublesome agnes went on blushing for she was beginning to find the old gentleman's silence somewhat disconcerting

mr winworth has told me how good you have been but never let me hear you say that again the exclamation was so unexpected and the voice so gruff and harsh that agnes started and involuntarily drew back a step or two don't you know the old man went on fiercely haven't they told you that it was all my fault

i let the child go into the house where that miserable little brat was ill i ought to have suspected there was something wrong from what the fool of a mother said but i never did she asked me to go and i let her a proper person i was to have the care of a child you will say there was no doubt as to the fact that mr hinsdale was suffering keen remorse even though he might have a rather peculiar way of showing it and agnes's tender heart was touched

"'You must not blame yourself,' she said earnestly, raising the blue eyes that were so like Joy's to his face. "'It wasn't your fault. You were not used to the care of children.' A softened expression crept over the hard, stern old face. "'No,' said Mr. Hinsdale huskily. "'I wasn't. God help me, I wasn't.' And then he turned, and without another word, walked quickly away."

hannah opened the door on the opposite side of the hall and agnes followed her into a large handsomely furnished bedroom the blinds were closed but even in the dim light agnes could make out the various objects the bottles and glasses on the table the young woman in the costume of a professional nurse and on the bed could that be joy that little motionless figure with closed eyes and crimson cheeks

"'Dear, bright little Joy, whose quick ear had never before failed to catch the sound of her sister's step, whose face had never failed to brighten with a glad, welcoming smile, in spite of all her efforts at self-control, Agnes's knees were shaking so that she could scarcely stand. Old Hannah threw a protecting arm about her, and the nurse hurried to her side. "'Is she—is she asleep?' faltered the older sister, with trembling lips."

"'She's in kind of a stupor, but you mustn't be frightened. It's only the result of the fever. May I kiss her?' For answer, the nurse bent over the little figure on the bed, and softly touched the burning forehead. "'Someone has come to see you,' she said in a kind, pleasant voice. "'Can you guess who it is?' The child's head moved restlessly on the pillow, and Joy uttered a faint moan, but that was all."

speak to her yourself the nurse whispered moving aside to make room for the newcomer next moment agnes was on her knees beside the bed and the two little burning hands in hers joy joy darling don't you know me it is aggie as if the sound of the voice she loved so well had power to rouse her as no other sound could have done joy moved again and opened her eyes

"'Aggie!' she murmured feebly. "'Aggie, dear, I'm so glad you've come. I shall be all right now.' And then she nestled her hot cheek against her sister's hand and fell asleep.

the little girl next door by nina rhodes gladys tries to be important miss gladys yes sarah do you really think it's necessary to scrape all the paint off the piazza with your shoes it isn't my fault the hammock's too low seems to me i wouldn't swing in it then till it has been attended to i don't think your papa will be very much pleased when he sees the marks of your feet all over the fresh paint

gladys gave an impatient sigh and sent the hammock flying up into the air again i haven't got anything else to do but swing she said a nice way for a little girl who has so many things as you have to talk i told you i would take you to the beach if you wanted to go i don't want to there's nobody to play with and it's no fun all by myself i'm sure i'm not anxious to go myself i only suggested it because i thought it might amuse you

there was a short pause gladys swung herself back and forth in the hammock and scraped her shoes against the piazza floor regardless of sarah's admonition sarah went steadily on with her work then gladys asked a question sarah how many days is it since joy took the fever it'll be two weeks on monday and to-day's saturday

"'That's more than ten days, isn't it? I heard Dr. Brown tell Papa that if I was going to have it, I should begin to be ill in about ten days. Yes, the ten days were up on Thursday, and we hope that you have escaped this time. You ought to be very thankful.' "'I'm not,' said Gladys, a little defiantly. "'I should like to have scarlet fever, and I wish I'd caught it.' "'Miss Gladys!' Sarah actually put down the stocking she was darning, in her horror and disapproval.'

i do wish it gladys went on rather pleased than otherwise by the sight of sarah's shocked face i think it would be very interesting to be ill and have every one worried about me you don't know what you're talking about said sarah scornfully and she picked up her stocking again now when sarah spoke in that tone it invariably roused all that was most troublesome and disagreeable in gladys's nature

she was really very unhappy about joy who she knew was very ill more unhappy than anyone least of all sarah suspected it was this very unhappiness which had made her so much more difficult to manage during the past few days but no one not even her father quite realized this fact and to sarah her conduct had appeared little short of heartless

for gladys was unfortunately for herself one of these proud sensitive children who find it almost an impossibility to express their deepest feelings i don't care she began again after a moment's pause and she gave the hammock a rather vicious push as she spoke i do wish i had it then everybody would be worried about me the way they are about joy and i should be very important and how about the pain of being so ill

Sarah inquired dryly. "'I suppose that would be very pleasant, too.' Gladys thought of rhubarb and soda and other disagreeable medicines, and she hesitated for a moment, but it was only for a moment. "'I don't believe I should mind,' she said. "'Not if everybody petted me and was worried about me. I should love to wake up and see people standing around my bed, looking dreadfully solemn, and talking in whispers.'

i know the way they do it i've read about it in books papa would bend over me and ask me if i felt a little better and i would ask him please to read me something out of the bible miss gladys you are without exception the most heartless child i have ever seen in my life exclaimed sarah her scanty stock of patience quite exhausted by this last speech of her charge you ought to have seen daisy graham when her little sister violet had scarlet fever

it was pitiful to see her she was that heartbroken and distressed she couldn't take an interest in anything and every night and morning she used to say a little prayer of her own accord asking god to make her dear little sister well again perhaps if sarah had stopped to think about it she might have realized the fact that gladys had not taken very much interest in things either during the past week but sarah was not given to thinking very much about her little charge's feelings

"'I hate to hear about the Grahams,' remarked Lattice, giving the hammock a fresh push. "'They're nasty stuck-up little prigs anyway. Papa said so. Your papa never saw them. I told him what you said about them. And then I asked him if he didn't think they were nasty stuck-up little prigs. He laughed and said he was rather glad we didn't know them. So there!'

sarah looked offended but before she could reply or gladys make any more remarks the screen door was pushed open and lizzie the waitress looking unusually grave and solemn came out on to the piazza thomas has just come back from mr hinsdale's she said mr wentworth said he was to go over at five o'clock to inquire about little miss joy they say she's much worse this afternoon and they're afraid she may not last through the night

sarah uttered an exclamation of dismay and the tears started to her eyes it was quite true as gladys had said sarah was more fond of joy than she was of most people gladys said nothing but her heart seemed to give one great frightened bound and then to sink down down like a lump of lead joy was worse joy might not last through the night what did that mean she had never dreamed for one moment that her little friend was not going to get well

Lizzie lingered for a moment and she and Sarah talked in low voices about the sad event which might take place before the morning. Gladys did not pay much attention to what they said. She was too busy writing down the big lump in her throat and winking to keep back the tears she did not want Sarah or Lizzie to see. At last, Lizzie went back into the house and Sarah began gathering up her work.

i'm going in she said in a rather choked voice i haven't the heart to stay out here any longer i should think you'd like to come in too but i suppose you won't till you're ready gladys could not help wondering why it was more heartless to stay out in the piazza than upstairs in the nursery but she said nothing and sarah went away indoors closing this green door after her with a slam

It was rather a comfort to be left alone, and now that there was nobody by to see her, Gladys was not ashamed to let the tears have their way. She cried bitterly for a few minutes. Then she dried her eyes and tried to cheer herself with the reflection that what Lizzie had said was probably all a mistake after all.

of course joy was not going to die little girls never did die grown people did sometimes but only when they were old or had been ill for a very long time joy was very ill but then children and books were frequently very ill but they always got well in the end it was very interesting to be ill and have people look and talk about one the way sarah and lizzie had been looking and talking about joy

yes she did wish she had caught the fever people would be sorry for her then and she would be important oh it would be nice to be important and have people really frightened about one how very disagreeable sarah was she was always calling her heartless just because she didn't sit and cry all day long if she were ill would sarah be frightened about her and would she speak with a catch in her voice as she did when she mentioned joy

"'Oh, dear, why couldn't she be ill? Just to find out how much people really cared about her. Papa would care, of course, but even Papa didn't understand her. Hadn't he gone off fishing for the whole day, never realizing how lonely she was, and how she missed Joy? It was Saturday, too, and he nearly always stayed at home on Saturdays. There were other ways of frightening people besides being ill.'

running away for instance she had once heard of a little girl who ran away to be a beggar and frightened her parents nearly to death it was a very dreadful story for a horrible beggar woman had taken the child home with her and stolen all her clothes and cut off her curls she had kept her all night too

and the next day she had taken her out into the street and told her to go home all by herself and the little girl had got lost and had a terrible time until at last a newsboy had brought her home in rags and without her curls and so dirty that her father and mother scarcely recognized her gladys had her private doubts as to the truth of this story it sounded so much like the moral tales sarah was so fond of relating but sarah herself declared it was true

Gladys did not think she would enjoy being a beggar, but it would be fun just to slip away and hide somewhere to give Sarah a good fright. Of course, she would come back before Papa got home, and if she were punished, well, what did it matter? Nothing seemed to matter very much just now, when her heart was aching so. If people thought she was heartless, why, she might as well go and be heartless and have some fun. The hammock stopped swinging and Gladys jumped out.

Her heart was beating very fast, but she had made up her mind. Sarah should be taught a lesson. She would find that she couldn't sit and call people heartless and not expect people to retaliate. She went into the hall and took down her shade hat from its peg. Then she came out again, closing the screen door softly behind her, and next moment she was walking briskly down the path in the direction of the gate. Nobody saw her.

"'Sarah was indulging in a good hearty cry up in the nursery, "'and Lizzie and the other servants were all in the kitchen at the back of the house. "'When she reached the main road, that is paused for a moment, uncertain in which direction to turn. "'I won't go to the beach,' she decided. "'Sarah would be sure to come straight down there to look for me. "'I guess I'll go up into the woods. "'It's nice and cool there, and I know the way perfectly well.'

for ten minutes she walked on steadily without stopping then she began to feel rather warm and tired the sun was hot and the august afternoon very sultry she paused for a moment feeling half inclined to turn back and leave sarah unpunished but then she caught a glimpse of waving tree-tops just ahead and decided to go on a little further several carriages had passed her on the road but she had not seen any one she knew

it was much cooler and pleasanter when she had reached the woods she walked along a shady path for some distance and then sat down on a mossy tree trunk to rest she wondered how soon sarah would discover her absence and begin to worry about her she did not want to stay away very long only just long enough to give sarah a good fright she would walk quietly into the house and then

well it didn't much matter she would be scolded of course perhaps punished but she would certainly tell papa how sarah had called her heartless and then all at once before she had all realized what she was doing gladys found herself crying crying as if her heart would break a rustling in the bushes near by caused her to turn her head with a start it was very still in the woods she was sure there was not another human being anywhere about

she listened intently for a moment but all was quiet again i guess i'll go home she said to herself rising rather hurriedly from her seat and feeling a little nervous and uncomfortable she had not taken more than a dozen steps however when she heard it again that same rustling sound only this time it sounded much nearer the little girl's heart began to beat very fast indeed there's something there she cried speaking out loud in her sudden terror

"'Oh, I know there's something alive there!' Next moment she had uttered a piercing shriek, and started on a dead run. For there, not thirty feet away from her, peeping out from among the bushes, she had caught sight of a large pair of horns. If there was one thing in the world, above all others, of which Gladys stood in mortal terror, that one thing was a stray cow.'

on and on she ran stumbling over tree trunks tearing her dress on briars neither knowing or caring in what direction she was going until at last quite breathless and half fainting from terror and fatigue she stopped exhausted and stood clinging to a tree to save herself from falling even then she dared not look around to see if that dreadful creature with horns had followed her she stood still and listened scarcely daring to breathe

No, everything was quiet. The only sounds to break the utter stillness were a few birds twittering their goodnight song. She heaved a long sigh of relief and sat down on the grass to rest. Her hat was gone, her hair was flying in wild confusion, and the skirt of her white dress was hanging in ribbons. She was more tired and miserable than she could ever remember feeling before in her life. For several minutes she sat quite still, getting back her breath.

then when her heart had stopped beating in those great frightened bounds and her knees had stopped trembling she took courage to look around and try to find out if possible where she was everything looked just the same as it had looked when she had sat down on the fallen tree and heard that dreadful rustling sound woods did certainly look very much alike she reflected

she had no idea how far she had run and she remembered with rather an uncomfortable feeling that she had heard her father say that those woods extended for miles what was she to do if she started to go back the way she had come was she not sure to meet that dreadful animal again but if she took another path how could she possibly tell where it might lead

and after all when she came to think of it she was not at all sure of being able to find the right path even if she tried she was not very much frightened at the prospect of being lost however she could see through the branches that the afternoon sun was still high in the heavens and she did not think she could have run any very great distance she decided that she would walk on a little way in what she imagined might be the right direction

and then if things did not begin to look familiar she would turn back again and try another path poor gladys she had very little idea of what being lost in the woods really meant her heart was still beating uncomfortably fast and she started at every slight sound fully expecting to see another pair of those dreadful horns appear from somewhere among the trees but she walked on briskly despite her fatigue conscious of but one great overwhelming desire

the desire to get safely out of those dreadful woods before it began to grow dark as to staying there after dark the thought was too horrible to be contemplated even for a moment why there might even be wild beasts there and if not wild beasts there certainly were cows and gladys scarcely knew which animal she dreaded most a lion or a cow

she walked on for some distance and was just beginning to comfort herself with the thought that she was really nearing the place where she had entered the woods when a sudden turn in the path brought her to the edge of a little brook she was quite sure she had not seen any brook before and the awful conviction versed upon her that she must have taken the wrong path and in that case she had probably been walking farther and farther away from home

it really was a terrible conviction and for the first moment she was almost paralyzed by the thought of it she was lost hopelessly lost night was coming on and and there were things with horns not so very far away that last thought was too awful to be borne in silence and in a wild outburst of terror and despair gladys flung herself on the ground at the foot of a big tree lifted up her voice and wailed

how long she lay there shivering and sobbing gladys never knew i think she must have cried herself to sleep at last for she was quite worn out from excitement and fatigue at any rate when she finally did lift her head it was to make the dreadful discovery that the sun had entirely disappeared and that it was almost dark it was really going to happen then she was going to be in the woods all night

Night was a time when all sorts of dreadful things happened, especially in the woods. Gladys had never been a brave child. She would never go to sleep, even at home, without being sure that Sarah, or someone, was in the next room. And as for being left alone in a room all night, the very thoughts and chills of horror running up and down her back...

but there was no sarah in the next room now there wasn't even a room nothing but trees trees trees all around and it was getting darker and darker every minute oh for the sight of sarah's face for the sound of sarah's voice glatta sat up and leaned her back against a tree there was no use in walking any farther she was too tired to walk even if she had had any hope of reaching a human habitation at the end of her journey

Besides, if she moved, she might meet things. Then came a terrible recollection. She remembered a story she had been reading aloud to Joy only the other day. It was one of Kipling's jungle stories, and it told how the beasts used to gather at the pools at night to drink. A brook was not a pool, but it was about the same thing, and she had certainly seen cows drinking out of brooks.

with a little frightened sob she sprang to her feet and plunged once more blindly along the unfamiliar path it was not so easy walking now as it had been before it grew so dark and she had not gone far when she fell down grazing the skin off her knee against a sharp stone this time she made no further effort to rise the pain in her knee was bad enough but that was nothing to the pain at her heart

she was quite sure now that she was hopelessly lost and if she had to stay in that dreadful place all night she would certainly die of fright she used to think that little girls never died but people said joy was going to die and if joy died why should not she when people died they went to heaven that is good people did

Joy was good. She would go straight to heaven, of course. But she, Gladys, was not good. She had run away on purpose to frighten Sarah. She had been a coward that day of the thunderstorm, and she had done a great many other bad things besides. Sarah said God didn't love people who objected to going to church on hot Sundays, and she had objected a great many times. If God did not love her, and she died, what would become of her?

In those dreadful moments in the solitary woods, little Gladys was thinking, perhaps, the very first serious thoughts of her life. She began to cry again and sobbed until her head ached. She was so frightened, so utterly helpless and alone. If she could only feel sure that God would take care of her, she thought, she would not be quite so frightened. But she had been so very, very wicked, she was afraid he might not be able to take any interest in her.

suddenly there came a new thought which brought with it a faint ray of comfort god sometimes forgave people if they let him know how sorry they were and that they wanted to be better it must be getting near her bedtime anyway and she ought to say her prayers though it would seem very strange to say them out there in the woods instead of beside her own little bed

she could not kneel down because her knee hurt her so much but she folded her hands and raised her eyes to the darkening sky in which the first stars were beginning to show themselves oh dear god she said softly do you think you could possibly take care of me and let me get safe home again to papa and sarah

i've been very very naughty i know and perhaps you can't but if i only get home again i'll try to be a better girl indeed i will and oh dear god please don't let joy die she's so good and sweet and i love her so sarah says i'm heartless but i don't really think i am i do want to be good and i don't want joy to die

oh dear god please please let someone come and find me before it gets any darker hark what was that surely surely it was the sound of approaching wheels gladys sprang to her feet her heart beating so fast she could scarcely breathe was somebody coming after all perhaps it was gypsies she had read in books that gypsies travelled about the country in wagons and had also heard somewhere that they occasionally stole little children

but even to be stolen by gypsies would be better than to be caught by things with horns she decided nearer and nearer came the wheels and now she could hear the sound of men's voices then she saw the flash of a lantern the wagon or whatever it was was coming very near indeed in another moment the occupants of an open carriage drawn by a pair of fine bay horses

were considerably startled by the sound of a child's voice calling imploringly from somewhere in the darkness oh will you please stop i'm a little girl and i'm lost oh please please do take me home i'm so dreadfully dreadfully frightened there was an exclamation of astonishment the bay horses were brought to a sudden stand and one of the occupants of the carriage sprang hastily to the ground

gladys my little gladys cried a well-known voice where did you come from what in the world does this mean one glance and then with a shriek of uncontrollable relief and delight gladys flung herself into the arms of the astonished gentleman and was clinging around his neck in an almost strangling embrace oh papa papa she wailed i've been so awfully awfully bad

I was angry with Sarah because she said I was heartless and didn't mind about Joy's going to die, and I ran away just to frighten her, and I got lost in the woods and couldn't find my way home again. I was afraid the beast would come and eat me up, but I asked God please to take care of me and to send someone, and I guess he heard me, for you came right away after that. Oh, Papa, Papa, please take me home. I'm so very, very sorry."

End of chapter 12 Chapter 13 of The Little Girl Next Door This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Little Girl Next Door by Nina Rhodes Mr. Hinsdale's Secret It was very, very quiet in Mr. Hinsdale's big house.

a hush seemed to have fallen over the whole place and even the servants moved about softly and spoke in low off-struck voices all through the long summer's day the old gentleman had sat alone in his library sometimes trying to read sometimes pacing the floor in restless impatience but most of the time sitting idly with his elbows resting on the table before him and his face between his hands

every little while he would rise and steal softly upstairs to listen outside of the closed door of joy's room but his ears never caught any other sounds save an occasional low-spoken question or answer from those within and the heavy labored breathing of the sick child on the other side of that closed door three women sat and watched they were agnes old hannah and miss clark the trained nurse

for many days now that same unbroken stillness had pervaded the old house it was more than a week since one intelligible word had passed the lips of the little blind girl and every day the pain at the elder sister's heart had been growing sharper and sharper four times that day had dr brown's carriage stopped before the door and four times the doctor's kind grave face had bent over the little flushed face on the pillow

on his last visit he had said a few words in a low voice to the durst words which agnes whose ears were sharpened by anxiety had not failed to catch i think to-night we'll decide the question one way or the other agnes had said nothing then but when the doctor left the room she had followed him softly to the head of the stairs doctor she said and her voice was brave and steady in spite of the misery in her blue eyes tell me the truth is there any hope

and the kind doctor unable to meet that look of suffering had taken the young girl's hand in his and answered a trifle unsteadily my dear child while there is life there is always hope that was at five o'clock in the afternoon and now it was after seven and still there was no change no movement of the little motionless form

For more than two hours, Agnes had not moved from her seat by the bedside, but now she gave a slight start, roused by a touch on her shoulder. "'My dear,' whispered the old housekeeper, "'don't you think you'd better go downstairs and take a little dinner with Mr. Hinsdale? It's been ready for more than half an hour, but he's never even gone into the dining room, though he's usually so punctual about his meals.' Agnes made an impatient movement.

"'I couldn't eat anything,' she said. "'Yes, dear, I know how you feel, but it's for Mr. Hinsdale's sake I ask you to do it. It isn't good for him to go without his regular meals, and he won't eat unless you come down to eat with him.' Still, Agnes shook her head. Hannah glanced appealingly at the nurse. "'I think you'd better go, Miss St. Clair,' Miss Clark said with cheerful decision."

i don't expect any change for some time yet and i could send for you at any moment if i wanted you you'll break down yourself you know if you don't take some rest and then what'll your little sister do when she begins to get better and asks for you when she begins to get better and asks for you how those hopeful words thrilled poor agnes's aching heart they were almost the first hopeful words she had heard in days

dr brown and hannah had both been very kind but neither of them had spoken of the time when joy would be getting better miss clark was a bright sensible young woman and stranger though she was agnes had come to rely upon her more than upon any of the others now she rose almost involuntarily you will surely call me if there is the slightest change she whispered

the nurse nodded and with one more loving glance at the little figure on the bed agnes left the room followed by old hannah mr wentworth's coachman has just been here she said more for the sake of saying something than for any real interest she felt in the subject they are in great trouble there the little girl is lost

"'Lost?' Agnes repeated, pausing on the threshold of her own room. "'Little Gladys Lost? How very dreadful! Are you sure it's true?' "'Yes. It seems she disappeared sometime this afternoon, and no one has been able to find her since, though they've been looking everywhere. The nurse is in a terrible fright, and they sit here to see if by any possibility we knew where the child was. The worst of it is, Mr. Wentworth is away.'

he went over to the south side fishing for the day and they don't expect him back till some time this evening gladys lost the little friend of whom joy was so fond it was very dreadful and yet agnes found herself wondering as she washed her hands and smoothed their hair why it was that she did not feel more distressed over this sad news perhaps she was growing cold and heartless she had fancied sometimes lately that she must be

why it was days and days since she had shed a single tear and yet joy was going to die she went straight to the dining-room but found it empty save for the solemn-faced butler who stood rigid and silent behind his master's chair the picture of patient submission to fate where is mr hinstale agnes inquired in the library miss i've spoken to him twice and i don't like to do it again for i'm afraid his temper won't stand it

perhaps you would object to reminding him yourself miss as how dinner has been on the table this half-hour agnes made no answer but walked across the hall to the library door there she paused mr hinsdale was certainly very kind but she suddenly remembered the fact that she had never exchanged more than a dozen words with him each day since her arrival at clam harbour

they had met at meals it is true but mr hinsdale never talked very much when he ate and except for an occasional remark about joy and the ordinary civilities of good-morning and good-night they had sat together at the table in almost unbroken silence the library door stood partly open and agnes could see the old gentleman sitting by his table his head buried in his hands

he looked very miserable and very lonely and for the first time the thought flashed into her mind that there might possibly be other people in the world almost if not quite as miserable as herself hannah had told her that joy was the image of mr hinsdale's daughter could it be that he had really learned to love the child very dearly and that it was not a lone remorse for having been the unwilling cause of her illness that was grieving him so deeply

it was a sudden thought and it brought with it the very first sensation of pity that she had felt for any one but herself in days next moment mr hinsdale felt a light touch on his arm and lifting his head with a start sat staring for an instant at the young girl beside him almost agnes thought as if he did not recognize her what do you want he asked in a strange low voice what's the matter

"'Nothing. I only came to tell you that dinner is ready. How is she?' "'Just the same. Miss Clark, the nurse, says she doesn't expect any change for some time yet.' With a sigh, Mr. Hinsdale rose slowly to his feet. He walked a few steps towards the door, then came back and laid his hand heavily on the young girl's shoulder. "'You're very pale,' he said in his harsh, abrupt way. "'You ought to take rest and exercise.'

"'Oh, I am quite well,' said Agnes, with a faint attempt at a smile. "'I should be all right, if only joy were better. Did Brown tell you that he has telephoned to the city for Dr. Hastings, the great specialist in children's diseases?' "'No,' said Agnes, looking rather startled. "'Well, he has. I told him to. Hastings will be here this evening. Between them they ought to be able to do something.'

with a sudden impulse agnes held out both her hands to the old man as she had done on the first afternoon of her arrival oh how good you are she said unsteadily how can i ever thank you she had scarcely uttered the impulsive words when she wished she had left them unsaid for the old gentleman had turned upon her an almost savage light in his grey eyes

didn't i tell you before you were never to speak to me in that way i suppose you think because i'm a crotchety selfish old man that i must have lost all the affection i ever had i tell you again that i won't be thanked now do you understand me yes sir yes faltered agnes i'm very sorry if-there that will do there's nothing to be sorry about now come in to dinner

dinner passed off in the same unbroken silence as usual neither agnes nor her strange host ate very much and agnes at least was thankful when mr hinsdale at last pushed back his chair and rose from the table they were just leaving the dining-room when the butler gave a rather deprecating little cough mr hinsdale sir excuse me but had you heard about mr wentworth's little girl being lost no snapped the old gentleman

and what's more i don't want to hear either what's the wentworth child to me and mr hinsdale stalked impatiently out of the room but agnes lingered behind to inquire has anything been heard of the little girl yet yes miss she's found all right the coachman's just run in to let us know the queer thing about it is it was her own father who found her and he never even knew she was lost him and another gentleman were driving home through the woods

they'd been over to the south side to fish and what should they see all of a sudden but the little girl right in front of their horse's feet crying fit to break her heart of course mr wentworth brought her straight home agnes was conscious of a feeling of something like relief the wentworths had been very good to joy it would be terrible if any sorrow were to come to them too

But, once back in Joy's room, the elder sister had eyes and ears and thoughts for nothing in the world except that little motionless form on the bed. It seemed to her that the child lay even quieter than before. She did not even move her hands now, as she had been doing all day. And, oh, how heavily she was breathing. But when she whispered her fears to Miss Clark, the nurse still spoke encouragingly.

we can't tell anything yet she said it's only the natural course of the fever she must naturally grow weaker as time goes on you know but i am almost sure the crisis will come to-night it was after nine o'clock before dr brown appeared this time he was accompanied by a gentleman with gray hair and a kind clever face whom agnes duke at once must be the city doctor of whom mr hinsdale had spoken

the great child specialist might be able to do something for joy now my dear miss st clair said dr brown kindly we shall have to ask you and hannah to leave the room dr hastings and i are going to make an examination of the little patient and miss clark will help us agnes rose obediently let me kiss her just once more before i go she whispered the doctor nodded and agnes pressed her lips long and passionately to the little burning forehead

then she turned and with a heart that was almost breaking she left the room closely followed by the old housekeeper outside the door the young girl tottered and sank against the wall feeling suddenly very weak and faint it seemed to her as though in those next few moments her little sister's fate was to be decided with an exclamation of pitting tenderness hannah gathered the swaying figure in her arms

my poor dear my poor dear she murmured as agnes with one great tearless sob laid her aching head down on the good old woman's motherly breast if you could just cry now it would do you no end of good i can't said the girl in a hoarse whisper i've tried but i can't she's all i have in the world and when she is gone i shall be so terribly terribly alone

the clasp of the old housekeeper's arms tightened perceptibly my dear she said very tenderly have you asked god to help you to bear this trouble and to make your little sister well oh yes but he seems so very far away and sometimes i am afraid i don't deserve to have my prayers answered so many good people have terrible sorrows in this world and i am not very good

i can't always feel sure that god hears when people pray to him for things i am sure he hears said hannah softly stroking the girl's forehead as she spoke we don't always understand and it isn't always best for us that our prayers should be granted but he always hears and now i'm going to ask you to do something

i will do anything i can said agnes raising her head with sudden eagerness you have been so good to me i shall be so glad to do something for you well it isn't exactly for me said hannah smiling that is to say in one way it is and in another way it isn't i want you to go downstairs and try to comfort poor mr hinsdale

"'To comfort Mr. Hinsdale,' exclaimed Agnes, looking rather frightened. "'Oh, Hannah, I don't think I could do that. He might not like to have me.' "'Only try and see whether he likes it or not,' said the housekeeper reassuringly. "'I've lived in Mr. Hinsdale's family for more than forty years, and I think I know him better than most folks do.'

he's gruff and short in his manner sometimes but bless you he doesn't mean anything by that he's got one of the kindest hearts in the world and he just about worships little miss joy you told me once that joy looked very much like mr hinsdale's daughter who died is that why he is so fond of her yes it's partly that and partly other things the name of mr hinsdale's daughter was joy too

mr hinsdale was sitting by the library table just as he had been sitting nearly all day with his face between his hands he too felt that the next hour might decide the fate of the little life he had grown to love so well there was a slight sound behind him and for the second time that evening the old gentleman raised his head to meet the gaze of a pair of tender blue eyes filled with a nameless grief and misery

this time he did not stare at the intruder but rose at once to his feet is there anything i can do for you he asked in a tone that agnes scarcely recognized it was so low and gentle no said agnes in a rather unsteady voice it isn't that i didn't come for anything but-but i am very lonely and unhappy and-and i thought you might be lonely and unhappy too you seem so fond of her

"'Fond of her?' The old man repeated slowly, and there was a strange ring in his voice, and a strange gleam in his eyes. "'I think I am fonder of her than I have ever been of any other human being but one.' Agnes came a step nearer. She was not afraid of Mr. Hinsdale any longer. "'Was that one your little daughter, Joy?' she asked softly. Mr. Hinsdale gave a violent start.

"'What do you know about my little daughter?' he demanded sharply. "'Not much, only that her name was Joy, and that my little sister is like her. Hannah told me that, and I thought, perhaps, it was why you cared so much for Joy. Hannah told you that, did she? What else did she tell you?' There was no evading the steady gaze of those keen gray eyes, but Agnes fed the gaze unflinchingly. She had nothing to fear. "'That is all,' she said quietly."

"'She didn't tell you I was a heartless brute "'who turned his only child out of doors "'because she chose to fall in love with a man I didn't particularly fancy? "'She didn't tell you I refused to forgive my daughter, "'even after years had passed, and returned all her letters unopened?' "'No,' said Agnes. "'She never told me that. "'Well, if she had, it would have been nothing but the simple truth. "'There are some things that won't bear talking about "'and that a man can never forgive himself for.'

with one of her sudden impulses so like joy's agnes held out both her hands to the old man i'm so very sorry she said i wish i could say something to comfort you sit down said mr hinstey abruptly waving her towards a chair now then suppose you tell me something about yourself if joy if she shouldn't get well you say you will be alone in the world agnes nodded she dared not trust herself to speak

you must have some relations surely i have a few cousins in the south but there is no one who cares much for me or for whom i care joy and i have been all alone ever since our father died joy told me your father was a southerner how about your mother's people have you nothing to do with them i don't know very much about them said agnes with a slightly heightened color my mother was an only child i believe she had very few near relatives

grandfather and grandmother both dead i suppose my grandmother died when my mother was a little girl i am not sure about my grandfather he may be dead too hm-m-m black sheep i suppose no oh no my mother was very fond of him but-but i believe there was some trouble at the time of her marriage and we have never heard very much about her family there was a short pause mr hinsdale drummed rather nervously with his fingers on the table

He was the first to speak. "'What was your mother's name before she married?' he asked abruptly. Agnes hesitated. "'I suppose you will think it very strange,' she said. "'But I really do not know. My mother died when I was only eleven, and I don't think I ever heard her mention her maiden name. I never liked to ask my father about it, knowing this subject to be a painful one to him. "'Don't know your mother's maiden name?'

well that is a queer state of things she didn't often mention her family then she very often spoke of her father she loved him very dearly a wave of some strong emotion swept over mr hinsdale's face and for a moment the hand resting on the table trembled visibly but agnes was too preoccupied with her own sad thoughts to notice it then he spoke and his voice shook in spite of all his efforts at self-control

"'She loved him, you say? Loved him dearly to the last, in spite of everything?' Agnes started. Something in the old man's manner suddenly struck her as decidedly odd. She gave one quick glance into his white, set face, and next moment had started impulsively to her feet. "'You are ill. Let me do something for you.'

"'Oh, I am so sorry if I have said anything to hurt you. I forgot you had lost a daughter. Oh, please forgive me, and let me do something to help you. You haven't hurt me, and I'm not ill either, so you needn't worry about that. Sit down again and tell me some more about your mother. I've got an idea that I used to know her long ago.' "'You knew my mother?'

i knew a girl who answers pretty well to her description she married a southerner by the name of ernest st clair yes yes that was my father's name oh how strange it seems that you should have known them why did you never tell me before because said mr hinsdale slowly many years ago i made a vow i vowed to myself that as long as i might live i would never forgive joy st clair never have anything to do with her or hers

"'You—you made that vow?' gasped Agnes, growing very pale. "'You must have known my mother very well, then. Oh, Mr. Hinsdale, tell me, what does it mean?' "'It means that I have been a brute, a hard-hearted, selfish brute. My wicked pride and the memory of that vow might have kept me from speaking the truth even now, if it were not for that little child.'

I have known who you were, and who Joy was, too, from the first day I saw her. The likeness was unmistakable, and then there was the name. Were it not for the poor child's sad affliction, she might have passed for the living image of her mother, Joy Hinsdale, at her age. Hinsdale, repeated Agnes, in growing bewilderment. My mother's name was Hinsdale? You knew her long ago. Was she...

"'Was she any relation of yours?' "'She was my only child,' said Mr. Hinsdale solemnly. "'I drove her from my doors. I refused to see her. I returned her letters unopened. I almost broke her heart, but I think I broke my own at the same time. "'Agnes, can you ever forgive me the wrong I did your mother? I am your own grandfather, and—and I am very lonely.'

there was a sound outside the door and dr brown entered the room without noticing the agitation on the two faces or else mistaking its cause he walked straight up to agnes and took her hand in his miss st clair he said very gently i want you to prepare yourself for a great surprise a great joy dr hastings and i both think that the crisis is past

your little sister is sleeping quietly the fever has gone down and provided no unforeseen complications arise we see every reason to believe that she will entirely recover mr hinsdale sank back in his chair with a murmured thank god and then covered his face with his hands next moment he had lifted his face again with a violent start for a pair of warm young arms were round his neck

a soft tear-wet face was pressed to his grandfather whispered the sweet young voice dear grandfather i think i understand it all and i want to tell you something that mother said to me just before she died

If you should ever see your grandfather, Aggie, it isn't very likely that you ever will, for he and your father were not good friends. But if you ever should, love him for my sake, and teach little Joy to love him too. I will love you, indeed I will, and so will Joy, and, and you will never be lonely anymore. End of chapter 13, chapter 14 of The Little Girl Next Door

this is a librivox recording all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox dot org the little girl next door by nina rhodes mr wentworth settles the difficulty oh grandpa isn't little prudy the very loveliest story you ever read joy closed the big book as she spoke and turned her radiant face upon her companion

"'It's a beautiful story,' Mr. Hinsdale agreed heartily. "'But I'm afraid you must be tired. You've been reading to me for a good part of the afternoon, you know.' "'I'm not a bit tired,' said Joy, leaning back in the big easy chair by the fire, with a little sigh of utter contentment. "'I never get tired reading. I'm so glad you like being read, too. You really do like it, don't you, Grandpa?'

"'Better than most things in the world, I fancy, but you mustn't let me be a selfish old fellow and keep you to myself all the time.' "'You? Selfish?' laughed Joy. "'The very idea of such a thing. As if you weren't the very dearest, kindest grandpa in the world.' "'There, there, that will do,' interrupted the old gentleman, looking immensely pleased, nevertheless. "'You mustn't flatter the old man so much, or you'll be turning his head.'

"'Where's Aggie this afternoon? I haven't seen her since lunch. Gone driving with Mr. Wentworth. He came for her right after luncheon. I guess she'll be back soon now. Seems to me Mr. Wentworth comes pretty often to take Aggie to drive. Doesn't it strike you in that light? Oh, he's so kind to Aggie, and she likes him so much. He's taking ever so much trouble about her book. It's coming out very soon now, you know, and I suppose he likes to talk to her about it.'

mr hinsdale looked a little amused but he said nothing and there was a short silence while joy stroked the big book in her lap with loving fingers joy was still a little paler and thinner than in the old days but the bright color was fast coming back into her cheeks and the old elasticity to her step it was october now and more than two months had passed since that strange anxious night when mr hinsdale had revealed his secret to agnes

it was only that very morning that joy had told her sister that she believed those two months had been the very happiest of their lives and aggie had laughed and kissed her with a very bright colour in her cheeks and a light in her eyes that the little blind girl could not see what are you thinking of joy mr hinsdale asked breaking the pause in his old abrupt way joy smiled i was only thinking how very beautiful the world must be she said

A shadow crossed her grandfather's face, and he laid his hand tenderly on the little golden head. "'Do you often wish you could see, Joy?' "'No,' said Joy, with cheerful alacrity. "'I hardly ever think about it now. I used to wish it sometimes, because I thought that if I could see, I might be able to help Aggie so much more. And why shouldn't you wish to see now just as much as you did then?'

"'Oh, because I know Aggie has everything in the world that she wants, and because I'm so happy that I couldn't possibly be any happier no matter what happened.' "'You are easily satisfied, little girl,' Mr. Hinsdale said, suppressing a sigh. "'I wish there were more people in the world with your disposition. It would be a happier and a better place, I'm thinking.' Joy took her grandfather's hand and laid her cheek against it. "'I don't think you quite ought to say that, Grandpa,' she said slowly.'

I don't think I've really got a good disposition at all. I'm afraid I used to be pretty horrid sometimes. Mr. Hinsdale laughed. Pretty horrid, were you? Upon what special occasions, if one may ask? It was when we lived at Miss Scott's, said Joy gravely, and Aggie used to come home so tired, especially on rainy nights. I could always tell by her voice when she was tired, though she used to try and pretend she wasn't.

then i used to remember how different it all was before papa died and how people used to tell me she was so pretty and such a belle it didn't seem fair that she should have to work so hard yes i'm afraid i did have very horrid thoughts sometimes and how about yourself her grandfather inquired with a smile did you never think it unfair that you should be deprived of things too

"'Oh, I was all right,' said Joy innocently. "'I always had everything I needed, and I never had to work.' Mr. Hinsdale said nothing, but he put his arm around the little figure and drew her very close. There was a moment's happy silence, and then Joy lifted her head from her grandfather's shoulder with a little start. "'There's the doorbell,' she exclaimed. "'I guess it's Gladys. She said she was coming over this afternoon.'

all right run along and meet her but give me a kiss first and leave your book down here perhaps by and by you may feel like reading me another chapter yes indeed i shall feel like it said joy looking much pleased at the suggestion and aggie and i have learned a new duet to play for you this evening before i go to bed and bestowing upon the old gentleman a very hearty embrace the little blind girl tripped away

humming a verse of one of the simple old ballads her grandfather loved as she went in the front hall she encountered gladys and sarah i'm so glad you've come said joy kissing her friend affectionately i want to show you the new letter game grandpa got me the letters are all raised you know and it's such fun playing it won't you come upstairs too sarah

no thank you not this afternoon i have some work to do at home but i shall be back for miss gladys at half-past five now miss gladys mind you don't get into any mischief while i'm away sarah's tone was severe and gladys began to look rebellious but peace-loving joy hastened to make every one comfortable

"'We'll both promise not to get into any mischief, won't we, Gladys?' she said, slipping an arm around her friend's waist. "'So don't worry one bit about us, Sarah. Hannah's upstairs and my sister will be at home in a little while.' Sarah made no more unpleasant remarks, but took her leave at once and the two little girls went upstairs together to Joy's room. It was the same room in which the little blind girl had lain ill for so many weary days and nights.'

but no one who saw it for the first time on that bright autumn afternoon would have suspected that fact the october sunshine was pouring in at the windows lighting up every object from the canariness cage to the rows of big books on the shelves which ran all around one side of the big room there was no lack of new books for joy in these happy days

even the carpet and wall-paper had been changed since joy's illness and a brighter pretty room it would have been difficult to find joy used to declare that she felt just like a princess living in such magnificent quarters wasn't sarah horrid said gladys tossing her hat on to the bed in a manner that the prim sarah would scarcely have approved of

she's always saying disagreeable things and reminding people of things even papa notices it and he told her quite crossly the other day that he thought it might be just as well to let bygones be bygones she isn't always very pleasant joy admitted but i suppose she can't help it it's only just her way well i wish it wasn't her way said gladys crossly for it's a very disagreeable one

"'And when she says those horrid things, it always makes me bad. "'And I don't want to be bad.' "'There was a pathetic little quiver in Gladys's voice, "'and Joy hastened to say, sympathetically, "'Perhaps if you could just make her understand "'that you really do want to be good, she might be different. "'Why don't you try it anyway?'

"'It wouldn't be any use,' said Gladys mournfully. "'I guess she was born horrid. She doesn't like me. She only likes good people, like you, and the Grahams and Miss Agnes.' Joy laughed and flushed a little, too. "'I don't know anything about the Grahams,' she said. "'Aggie's good, but I'm not. But, Gladys, I do think Sarah loves you.' "'Hannah says your cook told her Sarah was dreadfully frightened about you the day you were lost.'

it was gladys's turn to blush now she did not like to have the events of the day mentioned by any one even joy still she was an honest truthful little girl and it was not fair to be unjust to sarah she did cry when papa brought me home that night she said and when i told her how very very sorry i was and asked her please to forgive me she kissed me and said it was all right

but i don't think she need have mentioned it every single day since she keeps talking about it the whole time and it does make me very uncomfortable oh joy if only i had a sister like miss agnes i know i should be good joy's face brightened it was always a great pleasure to her to hear her adored aggie praised but i haven't got any nice relations except papa

Gladys went on in a rather grieved tone. "'And I've got to go back to that horrid New York next week, and to begin going to school. Oh, dear, how I do hate it all. I don't see why some people have all the nice things, and other people have all the horrid ones.' "'You've got lots of nice things,' said Joy soothingly. "'Just think of all your toys, and I guess you'll like going to school when once you begin. I'm to have a governess, too, you know.'

grandpa has written to the superintendent of the blind school about one toys aren't everything said gladys ignoring the latter part of her friend's speech you've got ever so many more nice things than i have there's miss agnes i really do think miss agnes is the loveliest young lady in the world

and there's your grandpa he's quite nice too though i did used to be afraid of him and there's hannah she never scolds like sarah and she lets you do everything you want to oh no she doesn't said joy laughing she makes me go to bed every evening just when i want to read and she's always so dreadfully afraid of my taking cold

aggie says she worries a great deal more about me than there's any necessity for but we wouldn't tell her so for we love her very much she used to be my mamma's nurse you know when she was a little girl

"'I wish I could have the nurse my mama had,' said Gladys with a sigh. "'She might be nicer than Sarah. I wouldn't mind about Sarah so much if I could only stay here all the time and see you and Miss Agnes every day. But when I go back to New York, it'll be so horrid, and I shall be so lonely. We're going to New York, too, by and by, you know,' put in Joy cheerfully."

Grandpa went yesterday to look at houses. He wants Aggie to have nice times and to go to parties again the way she used to before Papa died. Oh, Gladys, won't it be beautiful? Aggie's so pretty and so sweet. I know everybody will love her. She's one of the very prettiest people I've ever seen. Gladys agreed. I just like to sit and look at her and so does Papa. Joy looked much pleased.

"'I'm glad your papa thinks her pretty,' she said, "'because I like him so much, and I heard a lady who came to see Eggie the other day "'say she thought Mr. Wentworth had such very good taste about everything.' "'Well, he does admire Miss Agnes very much,' said Gladys. "'You know I coaxed her to give me one of her photographs, "'and I put it into a little frame on my bureau, so I could see it all the time.'

"'I've seen Papa looking at it every time he came into the nursery, "'and this morning he stood in front of my bureau ever so long, "'and when I spoke to him he didn't seem to hear. "'I had to pull his coat to make him look around, "'and then he jumped like anything, "'and when I asked him why he kept staring at Miss Agnes's picture all the time, "'he got quite red and said little girls mustn't ask foolish questions.'

i think it was rather unkind for i didn't mean to say anything i oughtn't to have what shall we play joy inquired rather hurriedly she had noticed the fretful sound in gladys's voice and was anxious to change the subject as soon as possible i don't care said gladys indifferently

joy proposed a new letter game but though gladys consented and even let joy teach her how to play her interest soon flagged and before they had finished the first game she pushed the letters away saying that she hated spelling games and never could learn to play them right joy looked a little distressed let's play something else then she suggested as she gathered up the precious letters and put them back into their box

"'I guess I'd rather talk,' said Gladys. "'I don't feel a bit like playing this afternoon. And besides, I want to talk to you about something. Do you think we might shut the door? It's something very private.' Joy, feeling very much surprised, and not a little curious as well, hastened to close the door, and then came and sat down by Gladys, who was looking both worried and excited.'

it was something lizzie said began gladys in a rather unsteady voice it was this morning and i've been thinking about it all the time ever since tell me all about it said joy in a tone of deep interest well it was just after breakfast and i went into the pantry for a drink of water sara and lizzie were both there

and sarah said i couldn't have any because water wasn't good for me i told her she was mistaken and that papa said cold water was very good for people she said she didn't care to hear about any new-fangled notions and that mrs graham never allowed her children to touch a drop of water between meals she really was very disagreeable and she took the glass away from me which was horrid because i was very thirsty indeed

Then I suppose I was horrid too, for I told her I'd tell Papa, and I said she was a nasty thing. She didn't say anything. She never does, you know, but just walked out of the pantry. I stayed to try and coax Lizzie to give me some water, but she wouldn't either, and when I told her how horrid she was, she just shrugged her shoulders and said in the most disagreeable way you can possibly imagine,

just you wait till you get a stepmother miss and see if she'll put up with your tantrums i guess you won't have to wait very long either from the look of things i was so angry i wouldn't stay there any longer but when i asked sarah what lizzie meant she only said little girls shouldn't talk about things they didn't understand and that lizzie ought to have more sense gladys paused to note the effect of her story joy was looking very grave

She took her little friend's hand and squeezed it sympathetically. "'Do you know anything about stepmothers?' Gladys inquired after a pause. Joy shook her head. "'I've read about them,' she said. "'But I never really knew any. "'In stories, they're generally very cruel,' said Gladys, with a catch in her voice. "'Oh, Joy, I don't want a wicked, cruel stepmother. "'I don't, I don't!' And poor little Gladys burst into a passion of tears."

tender-hearted joy was terribly distressed she had both arms round her friend in a moment and was kissing and soothing her as best she could don't cry so gladys dear please don't she pleaded the tears of sympathy streaming down her own cheeks why you don't even know yet that it's really true your papa is so good and so fond of you i don't believe he'd ever let any one be cruel to you

"'He couldn't help it.' "'Oh, he couldn't help it,' wailed Gladys. "'They never can. Mary, the waitress we had before Lizzie came, had a stepmother and she told me all about it. She was dreadful. She had three children of her own and she gave them everything that was nice, and Mary and her little sister sometimes didn't get enough to eat.'

at last mary couldn't stand it any longer and she ran away and came over to this country she said her father was very good but he was afraid of the stepmother and oh it was terrible but i'm sure mr wentworth wouldn't marry any one like that urged joy i don't believe all stepmothers can be so bad and if you had a real nice one who was very kind to you you might like her better than sarah

"'I don't believe there are any nice ones,' said Gladys mournfully. "'Oh, Joy, how lovely it would be if you and Miss Agnes could come and live with us. Miss Agnes is so nice and so pretty. She could talk to Papa in the evenings and play on the piano for him, and then he wouldn't want to bring any horrid old stepmothers home, and we could all be so happy.' Before Joy could answer, someone turned the handle of the door.'

"'What in the world are you children doing with the door shut?' inquired a well-known voice. And Agnes, an unusually bright color in her cheeks, and still wearing her hat and jacket, came hurriedly in. She gave one glance at the two little solemn faces, and then her manner changed, and she added in a different tone, "'Why, what is the matter? Has anything happened?' "'Gladys is very unhappy,' said Joy solemnly."

unhappy my poor little gladys but she will surely tell me all about it agnes had hastily thrown aside her jacket and sitting down on the sofa between the children she drew gladys to her side at the sound of the sweet sympathetic voice and the touch of the kind arm around her gladys broke down once more and baring her face on miss agnes's shoulder began to cry again as if her heart would break

"'It's about something Lizzie, our waitress, said,' she sobbed. "'She says I'm going to have a—' "'A step—' "'Stepmother!' There was a pause. Some of the bright color had gone out of Agnes's face, but her arm had tightened about the quivering child, and when she spoke, her voice, though low and not quite steady, was very kind. "'Would that make you so very unhappy, Gladys, even if it were true?'

of course it would said gladys lifting her head and speaking rather indignantly stepmothers are dreadful things i've read about them in books and i knew some one who had one too oh miss agnes don't you think you might be able to persuade papa not to do it he likes you so very much i might try said agnes smiling but perhaps it wouldn't be of any use

"'Oh, yes, it would. I'm sure it would,' said Gladys eagerly. "'That is, it would if you could tell him you'd come and live with us yourself. "'Oh, dear Miss Agnes, I do love you so very much. "'If you'd only come, I know I should be good, and I'd try not to give you any trouble. "'Indeed, I would.' Miss Agnes laughed, and all the pretty color came back into her cheeks."

you funny little girl she said kissing the flushed tear-stained face suppose your papa were to say he would only let me come to live with you on one condition what would happen then what kind of a condition inquired gladys anxiously the condition that-that and now it was agnes's turn to hide her happy blushing face on gladys's shoulder

oh gladys darling don't you understand the condition that i should be your stepmother for one moment gladys sat and stared in blank amazement but joy who was a year older and who had caught the note of gladness in aggie's voice had already grasped the situation and flung both arms around her sister's neck

"'Oh, Gladys,' she cried, half laughing and half crying. "'Don't you understand what she means? You are going to have a stepmother, but not a horrid, cruel one, only the dearest, sweetest one in the whole world.' "'Oh, Gladys, aren't you happy?' "'Happy?' repeated Gladys, still somewhat bewildered. "'You mean that it's true, that you're really going to marry Papa, to be my stepmother?'

"'Agnes, who now had an arm around each child and was hugging them both tight, only nodded. "'But you're so, so young and so pretty, and I thought stepmothers were always old and ugly. "'Oh, Miss Agnes, are you quite sure it's true?' "'Quite sure,' said Agnes, kissing her. "'You will love me, won't you, darling? And I'll try to be a good little mother to you, though I know I'm not half old or half wise enough.'

agnes got no farther for with a shriek of uncontrollable delight gladys had seized her in an embrace of such fervent enthusiasm that she was for the moment rendered quite breathless ten minutes later agnes looking extremely happy though her eyes were red and with a little girl clinging to each hand entered the library where mr hinsdale and mr wentworth were sitting together engaged in earnest conversation

at sight of her father gladys dropped agnes's hand and springing forward threw herself impetuously into his arms oh papa papa she cried half smothering him with kisses i'm so glad so glad i don't know what to do i feel as if i'd like to fly and what has my little joy to say to me said mr wentworth drawing the little blind girl to him after he had kissed gladys heartily

is she willing to have me for a big brother and let me help aggie to take care of her yes indeed said joy raising her face to be kissed i can hear in aggie's voice that she's very very happy and of course that makes me very happy too how funny to think of your being joy's brother cried gladys clapping her hands and skipping about the room in the excess of her excitement and delight

why if miss agnes is my mamma that will make joy my aunt oh what fun what fun and she went off into peals of laughter in which she was joined by all the others there's just one difficulty in this matter said mr hinsdale who did not look quite so radiant as the rest of the party and as he spoke he slipped an arm about joy who had left mr wentworth's sight and was now leaning lovingly against her grandfather's knee

and that is who is to have joy i hope i'm not going to be asked to give her up for i may just as well say in the beginning that i shan't do it a slight shadow crept over every face except gladys's i think joy must decide that question for herself said mr wentworth though i am afraid i shall have a good deal of trouble to persuade aggie to come and live in my house unless joy comes too what do you say joy

joy's only answer was to slip one hand into mr hinsdale's and the other into her sister's for agnes looking suddenly pale and troubled had come quickly to her side as if unable to bear even the thought of a possible separation what do you say joy repeated mr wentworth looking anxiously at the child every one wants you you know

i couldn't leave aggie said joy slowly we've always been together and i love her so but i don't want to leave grandpa either for i love him too let's all live together proposed gladys our house is big enough for everybody even for the terrible mr hinsdale said the old gentleman laughing i thought you were under the impression that i was fond of making my dinner of little roasted girls gladys blushed and hung her head

i never thought that she said indignantly you know i couldn't have been so silly i was afraid of you once but that was before we knew you and found out how nice you really are mr hinsdale laughed again and so did mr wentworth but agnes and joy still looked troubled i'll tell you something exclaimed mr wentworth with a sudden inspiration

i have thought of a solution of the difficulty you have been looking for a house in town mr hinsdale i met my next-door neighbour miss scott in the street yesterday and she told me that she had decided to retire from business and to spend the rest of her days with some relations in the country the house is now for sale so what is to prevent your buying it and having a door cut between the two houses

then we can all live together as gladys proposes and yet every one will be independent and we can each retire to our own premises whenever we feel like it good exclaimed mr hinsdale looking immensely relieved i'll go to town to-morrow and have an interview with the agent

so the matter was settled much to the satisfaction of every one and two days later mr hinstiel returned from the city bringing the delightful news that he had become the possessor of what formerly had been miss scott's boarding-house and that workmen were soon to set about the task of converting the house into a very desirable residence gladys jumped for joy when she heard the news and agnes and joy were almost too happy for words

"'I couldn't have left you, Aggie, even to please Grandpa,' Joy whispered. "'And I couldn't have left you, my pet,' was her sister's prompt reply. "'And so it is all settled,' said Mr. Wentworth, lifting Joy onto his knee. And as Mr. Hinsdale insists that Joy's home must be under his own roof, she will still continue to be the little girl next door.'" End of chapter 14 End of The Little Girl Next Door by Nina Rhodes