"
"Hate you, my poor boy? I only pity you; for I have heard, and can
see, how much you suffer. I cannot wonder that you should love her
so well; and, when you knew who she was, I dare say you were meaning
to restore her, so soon as you could bring yourself to it."
"Indeed I was, ma'am. I can take God to witness that I was," said
Teddy solemnly, his eyes brimming, and his face working with the
strong emotion he tried so hard to subdue.
"I am sure of it; and I love you more for the love you bore her than
I blame you for the fault that love led you into." She paused a
moment; and then the insatiate mother pride and love burst out,
demanding sympathy.
"She was a lovely child, wasn't she, Teddy?" asked she with a
tremulous smile.
The boy's rough face lighted, as if by reflection from her own, as
he replied,--
"O ma'am! it's so good of you to let me talk about her! There was
never another like her in all the world, I believe. I used to take
her walking Sundays, and look at all the children we met (some of
them rich folks' children, and dressed all out in their best); but
there was never one could hold a candle to my little sister. Oh! and
I hope you'll forgive me that word, ma'am; for I know it's no
business I had ever to call her so, or think of her so; but I was so
proud of her!"
"I don't need to forgive you, Teddy.
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