Nineteen hundred? A forecast and a storyFarningham, Marianne
General
Nineteen hundred? A forecast and a story
Farningham, Marianne
Christian life -- Fiction; England -- Social conditions -- Fiction; Reformers -- Fiction
“Yes, she should,” said Arthur. “Are you sorry for me, Sissie?”
“Yes, I am very sorry. Were you a good boy to your father, Mr. Arthur?”
“Not always, Sissie; and I am sorry for it now. You will always be good
to your father and mother, won’t you?”
“I don’t know. Mother says I’m very bad. Did you ever have a mother?”
“Yes; but that was a long, long time ago. She died when I was such a
little boy that I cannot even remember her.”
“But what will you do now, when you have not either a father or a
mother?”
“I don’t know, Sissie. I shall be very lonely. I think you must come and
see me.”
“I’m much obliged to you. Thanks very much.”
This was said in such a droll way that Dallington laughed.
“You shouldn’t laugh; it’s rude,” said the child. But her brother
rebuked her.
“It is you who are rude, Sissie; isn’t she, mother?”
“I am afraid she is, Geoff.”
“She is very entertaining,” said Dallington. “Sissie, will you not be
gracious, and give me a kiss, too?”
“Have you got any little girls at home?”
“No; I am sorry to say I have not. Will you come home with me?”
“No; I could not leave Geoff. He would be always in trouble without me.”
“Then come to me for a little time now; for if you do not I shall be
jealous.”
“What is ‘jealous’?”
“I am afraid you know the thing if you do not know the word,” said Mrs.
Hancourt.
“Is it to be naughty, mother?”
“Yes, Sissie; and that is what you have been to-day. And you must go to
bed early. Indeed, you had better say ‘Good-night,’ and go now.”
“But let me say my prayers down here, mother, because I always do, you
know.” And without more ado the child knelt down, and, folding her hands
together, she said: “Oh, God, please make Sissie a good girl!” and
demurely added, “And if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
Sounds that were not devotional were heard from the other parts of the
room, and Mrs. Hancourt lifted the little one in her arms. “I think,
darling,” she said, “you had better finish your prayers upstairs.”
When Mrs. Hancourt and the children had left, Arthur told his news. “I
have the pleasure to inform you, Mr. Hancourt, that my father proved the
respect which he had for you by leaving you a small legacy.”
“A legacy, sir?” exclaimed the man, in amazement. “A legacy for me? Left
me by Mr. Knight? Do let me call my wife. Kate, come here! This is news,
indeed. Mr. Knight really had not any ill-feeling toward me, after all.”
“Oh! I am very glad,” said Mrs. Hancourt. “Mr. Arthur, my husband, ever
since Mr. Knight’s illness, has been wondering if he had not been harsh
and wrong.”
“But, Kate, you would never guess the rest. Mr. Knight has left us a
legacy.”
“It is nothing to make a fuss about,” said Knight. “It is only a hundred
pounds. Here is a cheque for the amount.”
“A hundred pounds?” It was all that Hancourt could say. He changed
colour, and struggled for composure.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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