"Well, well, we will see, we will see," said the gentleman kindly, and
then he stooped over the child, and said in a voice which shook just a
very little in spite of the playful ring in it--
"Well, Rupert, my little boy, haven't you got one word or look for
papa?--or have you forgotten him altogether?"
"I haven't forgot--_torse_ I haven't--but mamma frottles me so!" answered
the little fellow, who was by this time trying to wriggle himself free
from the embrace of his agitated mother, which had become too close for
comfort. He seemed better pleased when his father took him up in his
strong arms, and he laughed and kicked with pleasure, as he did when Nat
took and tossed him high in the air.
The lady rose from her knees, wiping from her eyes the tears which still
seemed inclined to start, and putting out her soft hand to Pat, she said
very gently and sweetly--
"And so you are the little boy who has been playing the part of brother
to our dear little Rupert. Have you got a kiss to spare for me, my little
man?"
And Pat felt hot all over with surprise and pleasure, as the gentle,
beautiful lady bent her head and kissed him, and he hardly dared to kiss
her back, lest it should be taking a liberty; but he remembered that
queens had their hands kissed when they sat in state, and so he raised the
white hand that held his to his lips, and kissed it reverently.
"Shall I take you to my mother, madam?" he asked. "She has taken care of
Prince Rupert. I only played with him and helped her."
"Prince Rupert!" repeated the lady, smiling. "Who taught you to call him
that?"
"He said Rupert was his name," answered Pat, looking up, "and we all know
he must be a little prince--he looks so like one."
The lady smiled again, her tears were drying now. Eileen had come forward
by this time, and had heard the last words. The lady stepped forward, and
held out her hands to the lighthouse-keeper's wife.
"I have heard of your goodness to my boy," she said, in a quivering voice,
"how can I thank you for it?"
"I do not want any thanks, my lady," answered Eileen, with her soft shy
pride. "I would have done the same for any blessed baby cast up on our
shores; and the darling has won his way to all our hearts--and it's a real
prince of princes that he is--the bonny boy!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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