They
were simple things, but Robin was ready enough to like them.
"Did YOU give them to me?" she asked.
"Yes, I did, Miss Robin."
The child drew near her after a full minute of hesitation.
"I will KISS you!" she said solemnly, and performed the rite as
whole-souledly as Donal had done.
"Dear little mite!" exclaimed the surprised Dowson. "Dear me!" And
there was actual moisture in her eyes as she squeezed the small
body in her arms.
"She's the strangest mite I ever nursed," was her comment to Mrs.
Blayne below stairs. "It was so sudden, and she did it as if she'd
never done it before. I'd actually been thinking she hadn't any
feeling at all."
"No reason why she should have. She's been taken care of by the
clock and dressed like a puppet, but she's not been treated human!"
broke forth Mrs. Blayne.
Then the whole story was told--the "upstairs" story with much vivid
description, and the mentioning of many names and the dotting of
many "i's". Dowson had heard certain things only through vague
rumour, but now she knew and began to see her way. She had not
heard names before, and the definite inclusion of Lord Coombe's
suggested something to her.
"Do you think the child could be JEALOUS of his lordship?" she
suggested.
"She might if she knew anything about him--but she never saw him
until the night she was taken down into the drawing-room.
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