by Oliver Optic
CHAPTER XII.
TONY'S WELCOME.
Almost without knowing where his feet were carrying him, Tony saunteredthrough the streets until he found himself at the turn into the alleywithin a few yards of Oliver's home, and his beloved Dolly. At any ratehe could pass down it, and, if the shop-door was not shut, he would wraphis beautiful silver coin in a rag, and throw it into the inside; theywould be sure to guess who had done it, and what it was for. It was darkdown the alley, only one lamp and the greengrocer's gas lighting it up,and Tony stole along quietly in the shadow. It was nearly time for Dollyto be going to bed, he thought, and old Oliver was sure to be with her inthe inner room; but just as he came into the revealing glare of thegreengrocer's stall, his ears rang and his heart throbbed violently atthe sound of a shrill little scream of gladness, and the next moment hefelt himself caught by Dolly's arms, and dragged into the house by them.
"Tony's come home, Tony's come home, gan-pa!" she shouted with all hermight. "Dolly's found Tony at last!"
Dolly's voice quivered, and broke down into quick, childish sobs, whileshe held Tony very fast, lest he should escape from her once again; andold Oliver came quickly from the room beyond, and laid his hand fondlyupon the boy's shoulder.
"Why have you kept away from us so long, Tony?" he asked.
"Oh, master!" he cried, "I've been a wicked boy, and a miserable boy. Doforgive me, and I'll never do so no more. I s'pose you'll never let mesleep under the counter again?"
"Come in, come in!" answered Oliver, pushing him gently before him intothe house. "We've been waiting and watching for you every night, me andmy little love. You ought not to have served us so, my lad; but we're tooglad to be angry with you. Charlotte's sharp, and she's very much afraidof low ways and manners; but she isn't a hard woman, and she didn't knowanything about you. When I told her as you'd been left no bigger than mylittle love here to take care of yourself, alone, in London,--motherdead, and no father,--she shed tears about you, she did. And she left youthe biggest of her eggs to be kept for your supper, with her kind love;and we've put it by for you. You shall have it this very night. Dolly, mylove, bring me the little saucepan."
"I'm not so clean as I could wish," said Tony, mournfully; for he hadneglected himself during the last week, and looked very much like what hehad done when he had first seen old Oliver and his little grand-daughter.
"Take a bowl full of water into the shop, then," answered Oliver, "andwash yourself, while I boil the egg. Dolly'll find you a bit of soap anda towel; she's learning to be grand-pa's little housekeeper, she is."
When Tony returned to the kitchen he looked a different being; the gloomwas gone as well as the grime. He felt as if he had come to himself aftera long and very miserable dream. Here was old Oliver again, looking athim with a kindly light in his dim eyes, and Dolly dancing about, withher pretty merry little ways; and Beppo wagging his tail in joyouswelcome, as he sniffed round and round him. Even the egg was a token offorgiveness and friendliness. That terrible old woman was not his enemy,after all. He recollected what she had said he must do, and he resolvedto do it for Dolly's sake, and old Oliver's. He would learn to read andwrite, and he would pinch himself hard to buy some better clothing, lesthe should continue to be a disgrace to them; shoes he must have first ofall, as those were what the sharp but friendly old woman had particularlymentioned. At any rate, he could never run away again from this home,where he was so loved and cared for.
Oliver told him how sadly Dolly had fretted after him, and watched forhim at the door, hour after hour, to see him come home again. He saidthat in the same way, only with a far greater longing and love, hisMaster, the Lord Jesus Christ, was waiting for Tony to go to him. Hecould not half understand it, but a vague feeling of a love passing allunderstanding sank deeply into his heart. He fell asleep that night underthe counter with the tranquil peacefulness of one who has been tossedabout in a great storm and tempest, and has been brought safely to thedesired haven.