Gradually playthings and picture books appeared in them, which she
gathered Dowson presented her with. She gathered this from Dowson
herself.
She had never played with the doll, and, by chance a day arriving
when Lord Coombe encountered Dowson in the street without her
charge, he stopped her again and spoke as before.
"Is the little girl well and happy, Nurse?" he asked.
"Quite well, my lord, and much happier than she used to be."
"Did she," he hesitated slightly, "like the playthings you bought
her?"
Dowson hesitated more than slightly but, being a sensible woman
and at the same time curious about the matter, she spoke the truth.
"She wouldn't play with them at all, my lord. I couldn't persuade
her to. What her child's fancy was I don't know."
"Neither do I--except that it is founded on a distinct dislike,"
said Coombe. There was a brief pause. "Are you fond of toys
yourself, Dowson?" he inquired coldly.
"I am that--and I know how to choose them, your lordship," replied
Dowson, with a large, shrewd intelligence.
"Then oblige me by throwing away the doll and its accompaniments
and buying some toys for yourself, at my expense. You can present
them to Miss Robin as a personal gift. She will accept them from
you."
He passed on his way and Dowson looked after him interestedly.
"If she was his," she thought, "I shouldn't be puzzled.
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