Chapter VI: Milly's Request

WE have left Mrs. Morgan and her cousin a long time, and must now return to them.

When they were seated at their sewing, Mrs. Roby said: "I have been wishing to ask you about Milly. What a very strange child she is! It is a perfect fascination to watch her."

"Yes, one never knows what she will do next. She has always been governed by her own impulses, good or bad. I am glad to say many of them are good. She is capable of the warmest attachments. I never knew until lately, how much she loves Emily. The poor child fell a short distance from home, as they were going together of an errand, and sprained her ancle. Milly actually tried to lift her cousin and bring her home; but finding she had not strength, she rushed back in her furious way, crying as though her heart was broken, to tell me Emily was hurt. Then, when Emily fainted, I thought Milly would faint too, she was so terrified for fear her cousin would die. I had to take her up stairs, and leave her with Hannah for a time. When I had bathed and bandaged Emily's ancle, I went to Milly, who was sobbing bitterly."

"'Oh, Aunt Priscilla, I wish it had been my ancle! Emily's so good and kind. Oh, dear! I'm so sorry I've vexed her so many times, I never, never will again. I'll let her things alone. Will she get well, aunty? Will she? Oh, I'd rather go back to India! Things are always happening here to make me ache,' putting both hands to her heart."

"I improved the opportunity while her feelings were tender, to talk with her about herself. I told her we were all growing to love her very dearly; and that, when she tried to be good and polite and tidy, it made Emily and all of us very happy."

"She fixed her keen, black eyes on me as she asked:"

"'Truly, truly, Aunt Priscilla, are you beginning not to be tired of me and thinking me a bother, with my things thrown all about?'"

"Truly, truly, I am beginning to like to have you here, and to be able to say, Milly is improving every week."

She covered her face with her hands, and laughed till she shook all over, when suddenly she spoke again.

"'But I never can be like Emily; never in this world.'"

"Why not, Milly?"

"'Because she is a real Christian. When I struck her once, she did not get angry. She said:'"

"'Oh, Cousin Milly!' And then she went in her own room, and locked the door. I listened at the keyhole, for I heard her talking; and I thought she was telling you of my badness. But, oh dear!—beginning to sob again, 'she was telling God that I was a poor, motherless girl, and that the Hindoo ayah's hadn't taught me any better; and then she asked God to forgive me. Isn't that being real, truly good?'"

"It is indeed, my dear child; and then I kissed her. But here they come."

Mrs. Morgan smiled as she glanced through the window. The cousins walked side by side, engaged in animated conversation, Emily at the time being the chief speaker. Milly's hat was, as usual, hanging by the elastic on the back of her neck; and her hair was in wild confusion.

"You will see," said mamma softly, "that Emily will coax her cousin to the chamber, and make her presentable, before she comes to the parlor."

And so it was, but they had business in hand, and Milly never was patient under delay. They came down stairs together, talking in subdued tones, when the ladies heard Milly say:

"Uncle George has come home; and I'm going to ask him now."

"Oh, would you, so quick? He's always tired at first."

"Yes, I am," in Milly's decided voice, "I hate waiting for things."

So into the library Milly went, while Emily sat on the stairs in the hall, waiting and blushing with eagerness.

Mr. Morgan had just entered the library. Seeing his niece with nicely brushed hair, and clean muslin apron, he smiled so pleasantly, that she plunged into her subject at once.

"Oh, Uncle George! I want to talk to you a few minutes."

"I'm quite at your service, Miss Milly," he answered, throwing himself upon the lounge, as was his habit after his walk, "but where is Emily?"

"She's somewhere; but Uncle George, would it cost a great deal of money to go to the shore? Emily and I want to go awfully. It's a secret and you must be sure not to tell Aunt Priscilla."

"Indeed, why is she to be kept in the dark?"

"Won't you tell truly, truly, if I whisper something?"

"No, I promise to keep your secret."

She put her mouth close to his ear, "Emily says Aunty's birthday is coming pretty soon, and she says I'm not so bad as I was, and I'm trying hard to be good. See how smooth my hair is and my clean apron on. I like her ever so much now; and I put my things in the drawers. I mean, I do when I don't forget; and then Emily reminds me. So I want to make Aunt Priscilla a present; and I know how to do mosses, the woman on board ship showed me; and that's the reason we want to go to the shore."

Milly stopped to recover breath, and then went on, eager to explain:

"Aunt Priscilla can go with us, of course; because Emily and I can pick the moss while she isn't seeing us, and then I can do them at home for her birthday."

Mr. Morgan smiled pleasantly.

"There, I knew you would. I'll go and call Emily. She said I might ask you, 'cause it's going to be my present."

"When do you wish to go, Miss Milly?"

The child laughed merrily; and then in her impulsive way began to kiss him, eyes, nose and mouth. "When your eye twinkles, I love you dearly, Uncle George."

"There, Milly, you looked just like your mother when you said that; and so for her sake, and because of your smooth hair, and your clean apron, and your attempts to be neat, I will take you to-morrow afternoon, if it is pleasant."

Milly jumped a foot from the floor, laughing and clapping her hands, in great glee. Then, she ran out to communicate the good news to her Cousin Emily.