When he was placed on Mrs. Seymour's lap, Mrs. Blunt produced something which she had carried on her arm. "There!" she said, with evident delight; "don't you think as we've been quick? This little nightgown was calico in the shop at nine o'clock this mornin', and here it is ready for him to put on now." "You've made it for him?" asked Mrs. Seymour, too astonished to find words. "That we have! When you sent for me this mornin' to tell me about borrowin' mine--bless 'im, he was welcome to it!--and to ask me to 'elp you with your laundry work, as 'as been put so behind this week, I ran down to Jenny to see if she would mind my children. (She's a kind girl at a pinch.) And then thinks I, 'Mrs. Seymour won't be ready with her irons and things for a few minutes;' and I pops on my bonnet, and takes the little 'uns round to the shop to get the calico. We was back in no time, and there was Jenny smiling at the door waitin' for me. "'Jenny,' says I to her, 'I know as you're good at your needle, and I want to surprise Mrs. Seymour. I haven't made a present to any one these many years, but if you'll help me, I will to-day!' "Jenny, she takes it in as kind as anythink. "'All right,' she says. 'And I'll mind those precious babies of yours, and do the work as well; for I'm right down sorry for 'em up-stairs, that I am.' "So we cut it out, and she was set-to with her needle afore I come up to you. When I got down again at twelve o'clock, after you'd finished with me, she'd done more than half of it, that she had!" Mrs. Blunt was out of breath, so Cherry unfolded the little nightgown and showed it to Dickie, who, however, only smiled gratefully, but did not venture more than a peep with his poor little inflamed eyes. Mrs. Seymour was so pleased at the thoughtful kindness that she could not say much. "Don't think as I grudged him the _other_!" said Mrs. Blunt; "but I thought as you'd feel it nicer for him to have one of his own." "I'm sure Meg will take it very kind of you," said Mrs. Seymour, gratefully. "Kind!" echoed Mrs. Blunt. "Nothin' as I could do for her would be kind, after all she has done for me. Why, my dear, I'm a new woman!" Mrs. Seymour was too surprised to answer, and Mrs. Blunt went on earnestly: "'Tisn't only as I have a tidy dress now, and a clean room, and better food, but 'tis the inside of me as is different. Instead of frettin' over the little money I've got, she's taught me to make the most of it; and instead of being cross, and tired, and miserable, she's taught me as there is One above as cares for me, and will bear my burdens and lighten 'em, and comfort and cheer me into the bargain. There! if ye don't think that's enough to make a body grateful, I don't know what is." "Is that mo'ver-Meg," asked Dickie, "as you're talkin' on?" "Yes," said Mrs. Seymour, softly. "She's a dear mother-Meg, isn't she?" "Cherry and me's goin' to stay 'long of her," he said, addressing himself to Mrs. Blunt.