Only her father
and Mr. Vermont knew--and the latter she had not seen for years.
Now, therefore, she put away her cups and saucers and called gaily to
the children, as they came running back. The girl who had been playing
with them came too; and as she approached the cottage she raised her
head and smiled. Lucy Ashford stooped to kiss the children, then said
kindly to Jessica--for it was indeed she:
"I expect you are tired with them now, my dear. Come and sit down with
me for a little while."
Jessica raised her dark eyes gratefully.
"No, ma'am, thank you. I'm not tired. I love the children; they are so
good to me."
Lucy's eyes shone. What mother does not believe that her children are
the best in the world? She had been like an angel of mercy to the tired
girl when her husband had brought her into the little home. She had put
her to bed, fed her, and clothed her in old things of her own; and she
had neither questioned nor worried her since.
Jessica, only too thankful to find a home for the present, and realising
the hopelessness of her strange passion for Adrien Leroy, had done what
she could to repay her benefactress by helping her in the little shop,
and playing with and taking care of the children.
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