by Oliver Optic
CHAPTER V.
FORSAKEN AGAIN.
The next three days were a season of unmixed happiness to old Oliver. Thelittle child was so merry, yet withal so gentle and sweet-tempered, thatshe kept him in a state of unwearied delight, without any alloy ofanxiety or trouble. She trotted at his side with short, runningfootsteps, when he went out early in the morning to fetch his daily stockof newspapers. She watched him set his room tidy, and made believe tohelp him by dusting the legs and seats of his two chairs. She stood withfolded hands and serious face, looking on as he was busy with hiscooking. When she was not thus engaged she played contentedly with Beppo,prattling to him in such a manner, that Oliver often forgot what he wasabout while listening to her. She played with him, too, frolicsome littlegames of hide-and-seek, in which he grew as eager as herself; andsometimes she stole his spectacles, or handkerchief, or anything shecould lay her mischievous fingers upon to hide away in some unthought-ofspot; while her shrewd, cunning little face put on an expression ofprofound gravity as old Oliver sought everywhere for them.
As Friday evening drew near, the old man's gladness took a shade ofanxiety. His daughter was coming home to him, and his heart was full ofunutterable joy and gratitude; but he did not know exactly how theyshould go on in the future. He was averse to change; yet this littlehouse, with its single room, to which he had moved when she forsook him,was too scanty in its accommodation. He had made up a rude sort of bedfor himself under the counter in the shop, and was quite ready to give uphis own to Susan and his little love, as he called Dolly; but would Susanlet him have his own way in this, and many other things? He provided asumptuous tea, and added a fresh salad to it from the greengrocer's nextdoor; but though he and Dolly waited and watched till long after thechild's bed-time, taking occasional snatches of bread and butter, stillSusan did not arrive. At length a postman entered the little shop with anoise which made Oliver's heart beat violently, and tossed a letter downupon the counter. He carried it to the door, where there was still lightenough to read it, and saw that it was in Susan's handwriting.
"MY DEAR AND DEAREST FATHER,
"My heart is almost broke, betwixt one thing and another. His regimentis to set sail immediate, and the colonel's lady has offered me veryhandsome wages to go out with her as lady's maid, her own havingdisappointed her at the last moment; which I could do very well, knowingthe dressmaking. He said, 'Do come, Susan, and I'll never get drunkagain, so help me God; and if you don't, I shall go to the badaltogether; for I do love you, Susan.' I said, 'Oh my child!' And thecolonel's lady said, 'She's safe with her grandfather; and if he's agood man, as you say he is, he'll take the best of care of her. I'llgive you three pounds to send him from here, and we'll send more fromCalcutta.' So they overpersuaded me, and there isn't even time to comeback to London, for we are going in a few hours. You'll take care of mylittle dear, I know, you and aunt Charlotte. I've sent a little box ofclothes for her by the railway, and what more she wants aunt Charlottewill see to, I'm sure, and do her mending, and see to her manners till Icome home. Oh! if I could only hear you say 'Susan, my dear, I forgiveyou, and love you almost as much as ever,' I'd go with a lighter heart,and be almost glad to leave Dolly to be a comfort to you. She will be acomfort to you, though she is so little, I'm sure. Tell her mammy saysshe must be a good girl always till mammy comes back. A hundred thousandkisses for my dear father and my little girl. We shall come home as soonas ever we can; but I don't rightly know where India is. I think it's mybounden duty to go with him, as things have turned out. Pray God takecare of us all.
"Your loving, sorrowful daughter,
"SUSAN RALEIGH."