poor and proud-第6章

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se　she　did　not　pay　the　rent。　There　may　be；　as　he　says；　some　deception　about　it；　which　he　can　penetrate　and　we　cannot。〃

〃There　is　no　deception　about　it；　ma'am；〃　pleaded　Katy；　much　disturbed　by　this　sudden　damper　upon　her　hopes。　〃She　has　not　got　a　single　cent。　She　wouldn't　tell　a　lie；　and　I　wouldn't　either。〃

There　was　something　in　the　eloquence　and　earnestness　of　the　child　that　deeply　impressed　the　mind　of　the　lady；　and　she　could　hardly　resist　the　conclusion　that　her　agent　had；　in　this　instance；　made　a　mistake。　But　she　had　great　confidence　in　Dr。　Flynch；　and　she　was　very　unwilling　to　believe　that　he　could　be　so　harsh　and　cruel　as　the　little　girl　represented。　She　had　heard　of　the　tricks　of　the　vicious　poor；　and　while　she　was　disposed　to　be　very　tender　of　a　needy　tenant；　she　must　be　just　to　her　agent。

〃It　is　now　half…past　ten；〃　continued　Mrs。　Gordon。

〃You　shall　remain　here；　my　child；　and　I　will　send　Michael　down　to　Colvin　Court　to　inquire　into　the　situation　of　your　mother。　He　must　be　impartial　for　he　knows　nothing　about　the　case。〃

〃Thank　you；　ma'am；〃　said　Katy；　with　a　promptness　which　assured　Grace；　if　not　her　mother；　that　the　little　girl　was　honest。

Mrs。　Gordon　rang　the　bell；　and　when　Michael　answered　the　summons；　she　attended　him　to　the　street　door；　where　she　instructed　him　to　call　upon　Mrs。　Redburn；　and　also　to　inquire　of　the　grocer　at　the　corner；　and　of　her　neighbors；　what　sort　of　a　person　she　was。　The　lady　returned　to　the　sitting…room　when　he　had　gone；　and　asked　Katy　a　great　many　questions　about　herself　and　her　mother；　and　thus　nearly　an　hour　was　consumed；　at　the　end　of　which　time　Michael　returned。　Katy　had　answered　all　the　lady's　questions　fairly；　though　without　betraying　her　family　history；　which　her　mother　had　cautioned　her　to　keep　to　herself；　that　she　was　prepared　to　receive　a　favorable　report　from　her　man。

〃Well；　Michael；　did　you　find　the　woman　at　home？〃　asked　Mrs。　Gordon；　as　the　man　presented　himself。

〃Indeed；　I　deed；　marm。〃

〃What　was　she　doing？〃

〃She　was　fast　in　bed；　and　told　me　she　hadn't　been　out　of　it　for　twelve　weeks　come　Saturday。〃

〃What　does　the　grocer　say？〃

〃He　says　she　is　a　very　good　woman；　but　poor　and　proud。　She　always　paid　him　every　cent　she　owed　him；　and　he'd　trust　her　for　half　he　has　in　his　shop。〃

〃That　will　do；　Michael；　you　may　go；〃　and　the　man　retired　with　a　respectful　bow。

Katy's　face　wore　a　smile　of　triumph；　as　Michael　was　dismissed。　Her　mother's　truthfulness　had　been　vindicated；　and　it　was　the　proudest　moment　she　had　known　for　many　a　day。

〃How　long　has　your　mother　lived　in　my　house？〃　asked　Mrs。　Gordon。

〃About　three　years；　ma'am；　and　she　always　paid　her　rent　till　this　month；〃　replied　Katy。

〃If　she　had　not；　Dr。　Flynch　would　have　turned　her　into　the　street；〃　added　Grace；　and　it　was　evident　the　beautiful　young　lady　had　no　special　regard　for　that　worthy　gentleman。

〃We　have　tried　hard　enough　to　pay　the　rent　this　month；〃　continued　Katy；　and　she　proceeded　to　tell　the　story　of　the　silver　watch；　that　had　belonged　to　her　father。

〃This　is　dreadful；　mother；　let　us　do　something　about　it；〃　said　Grace。　〃What　a　wretch　the　broker　must　have　been！〃

〃We　will　endeavor　to　get　the　watch　back　for　her；〃　replied　Mrs。　Gordon；　as　she　seated　herself　at　a　table　and　wrote　a　few　lines　on　a　piece　of　paper。　〃Here；　my　child；　is　a　receipt　for　your　month's　rent。　When　Dr。　Flynch　comes　for　the　money；　you　show　him　this；　and　he　will　be　satisfied；〃　and　she　handed　her　the　receipt。

Katy　took　it；　and　thanked　the　good　lady；　assuring　her　that　her　mother　would　certainly　pay　the　money　as　soon　as　she　got　well。

〃My　mother　is　poor　and　proud；　just　as　the　grocer　said；　and　she　don't　ask　any　one　to　give　her　anything。　I　am　going　to　earn　some　money　myself；　and　I　hope　I　shall　be　able　to　pay　the　next　month's　rent；〃　added　Katy；　as　she　moved　towards　the　door。

〃But　the　watch；　mother？〃　interposed　Grace。

〃If　the　little　girl　will　come　here　this　afternoon　or　to…morrow　morning；　we　will　take　her　to　the　mayor　who　will　have　the　case　attended　to。〃

〃I　will　come　any　time；　ma'am。〃

〃The　mayor　is　my　friend；　and　I　will　call　at　his　house　with　you　this　afternoon　at　three　o'clock。〃

Katy　could　not　but　think　the　mayor　had　a　great　many　friends；　for　there　was　Master　Simon　Sneed；　and　Mrs。　Gordon；　and　she　knew　not　how　many　more。　She　thanked　the　lady　very　warmly　for　her　kindness；　and　promising　to　come　at　the　time　stated；　she　took　her　leave。

She　was　followed　to　the　door　by　Grace；　who　detained　her　there。

〃Katy；　I　am　sure　you　are　a　very　good　little　girl；　and　here　is　a　dollar　for　you。　It　will　buy　something　good　for　your　mother。〃

〃I　thank　you　very　much；　Miss　Gordon。　I　am　poor；　but　proud；　like　my　mother；〃　replied　she；　as　a　flush　of　shame　mantled　her　cheek。

〃What　a　foolish　little　girl！〃　laughed　Grace。　〃Take　it；　you　will　oblige　me　very　much　by　taking　it。〃

〃No；　ma'am；　I　can't；　my　mother　wouldn't　own　me　if　I　should　take　money　as　a　gift。〃

〃But　you　must　take　it；　Katy；　I　shall　be　angry　if　you　don't。〃

The　little　girl　looked　up　into　her　pretty　eyes　beaming　with　pity　and　love；　and　she　could　hardly　resist　the　temptation　to　oblige　her　by　accepting　the　gift；　but　since　she　had　heard　the　story　of　her　mother's　life；　she　understood　why　she　was　so　much　prouder　than　other　poor　people；　and　as　she　thought　of　her　grandfather　in　his　fine　house　in　the　great　city　of　Liverpool；　she　felt　a　little　of　the　same　spiritshe　too　was　poor　and　proud。　Besides；　as　Grace　jingled　the　two　half　dollars　together；　there　was　a　harmony　in　the　sound　that　suggested　a　great　heap　of　good　things　for　her　mother。　And　there　was　another　powerful　consideration　that　weighed　with　great　force　upon　her　mind。　One　of　those　half　dollars　would　be　a　sufficient　capital　upon　which　to　commence　her　candy　speculation。　It　would　buy　ever　so　much　molasses　of　the　very　best　quality。　As　she　thought　of　this；　she　was　disposed；　at　least；　to　compromise　with　Miss　Grace。

〃I　cannot　accept　the　money　as　a　gift；　but　you　may　lend　it　to　me；　if　you　please；〃　said　Katy；　after　she　had　reflected　a　moment。

〃Just　as　you　like；〃　laughed　Grace；　〃but　I　shall　not　feel　bad　if　you　never　pay　me。〃

〃I　shall　certainly　pay　it　again；〃　persisted　the　embryo　candy　merchant。　〃I　would　not　take　it　if　I　thought　I　could　not。〃

〃Very　well；　but　you　must　know　I　think　you　are　a　very　singular　little　girl。〃

〃I　am　poor　and　proud；　that's　all。〃

Katy　took　the　loan；　and　with　her　fancy　fired　with　brilliant　expectations　in　regard　to　the　candy　operation；　ran　home　to　her　mother　as　fast　as　her　feet　would　carry　her。　Mrs。　Redburn　was　much　displeased　with　her　at　first　for　what　she　had　done。　Her　pride　revolted　at　the　thought　of　begging　a　favor；　but　Katy　explained　the　matter　so　well　that　she　was　satisfied；　though　nothing　was　said　about　the　loan　she　had　obtained。

Punctually　at　the　appointed　hour　came　Dr。　Flynch　for　the　rent。

〃Have　you　got　the　money？〃　he　demanded　in　his　usual　bland　tones；　though　Katy　thought　she　could　see　a　wicked　purpose　in　his　little　gray　eye。

〃No；　sir；　but〃

〃That's　all　I　desire　to　know；　Mrs。　Redburn；〃　interrupted　the　agent。　〃You　must　leave　the　house。〃

〃But；　sir；　I　have　something　that　will　do　as　well　as　the　money；〃　added　the　sick　woman。

〃Have　you；　indeed？〃　sneered　Dr。　Flynch　〃I　think　not。〃

〃Will　you　read　that；　sir？〃　said　Katy；　handing　him　Mrs。　Gordon's　receipt。

The　agent　took　the　paper；　and　as　he　read；　the　wonted　serenity　of　his　brow　was　displaced　by　a　dark　scowl。　His　threats　had　been　disregarded；　and　he　had　been　reported　to　his　employer。

〃So　you　have　been　fawning　and　cringing　upon　Mrs。　Gordon；〃　growled　he。　〃Probably　you　have　told　her　more　lies　than　you　dared　tell　me。〃

〃I　told　her　nothing　but　the　truth；　and　she　sent　her　man　down　here　to　find　out　all　about　us；　said　Katy；　smartly。

〃Very　well；　this　paper　will　only　delay　the　matter　for　a　few　days；　when　I　have　exposed　you　to　her；　she　will　acquiesce　in　my　views；〃　and　Dr。　Flynch　threw　down　the　receipt　and　left　the　house。

〃We　are　well　rid　of　him；　at　any　rate；〃　said　Katy。

〃Now　I　will　get　you　some　dinner；　for　I　must　be　at　Mrs。　Gordon's　at　three　o'clock；　and　I　want　to　tell　you　about　my　plan　too；　mother。〃

The　active　little　girl　made　a　cup　of　tea　for　her　mother；　and　the　dinner　was　soon　dispatched。



CHAPTER　VI。

KATY　PREPARES　A　STOCK　OF　MERCHANDISE。


Katy　had　not　time　then　to　tell　her　mother　about　the　candy　speculation　she　had　in　view；　and　she　was　obliged　to　wait　till　her　return　from　Temple　Street。　Promptly　at　the　hour；　she　presented　herself　at　Mrs。　Gordon's；　and　they　went　to　the　house　of　the　mayor；　but　that　distinguished　gentleman　was　not　at　home；　and　the　lady　promised　to　go　again　with　her　the　next　day。

As　she　walked　home；　she　thought　of　what　she　should　say　to　her　mother　in　favor　of　the　candy　project；　for　she　felt　sure　her　mother's　pride　would　throw　many　obstacles　in　her　path。　The　best　argument　she　could　think　of　was；　that　the　business　would　be　an　honest　calling　and　though　she　was　too　proud　to　beg；　she　was　not　too　proud　to　work；　or　to　take　a　very　humble　position　among　the　people　around　her。　She　did　not　look　upon　the　act　of　selling　candy　to　the　passers…by　in　the　streets　as　degrading　in　itself；　and　therein　she　differed　very　widely　from　her　mother；　who　had　been　brought　up　in　ease　and　affluence。　Before　she　got　home　she　had　made　up　her　mind　what　she　should　say；　and　how　she　should　defend　her　plan　from　the　assaults　of　pride。

〃Now；　mother；　you　shall　hear　my　plan；〃　she　continued；　after　she　had　announced　the　ill　success　of　her　visit　to　the　mayor's　house。　〃I　am　going　into　business；　and　I　expect　to　make　a　great　deal　of　money。〃

〃Are　you；　indeed？〃　replied　Mrs。　Redburn；　smiling　at　the　enthusiasm　of　her　daughter。

〃I　am；　and　you　must　not　be　angry　with　me；　or　object　very　much　to　my　plan。〃

〃Well；　what　is　your　plan？〃

〃I　am　going　to　sell　candy；〃　said　Katy；　pausing　to　notice　the　effect　of　this　startling　declaration。　〃You　know　what　nice　molasses　candy　you　used　to　make　for　me。　Mrs。　Sneed　and　Mrs。　Colvin　said　a　great　many　times　that　it　was　a　good　deal　better　than　they　could　buy　at　the　shops。〃

〃But；　child；　I　am　not　able　to　make　candy　now。　I　cannot　get　off　my　bed。〃

〃I　will　make　it；　you　shall　lay　there　and　tell　me　how。　I　am　sure　I　can　make　it。〃

〃It　is　very　hard　work　to　pull　it。〃

〃I　won't　mind　that。〃

〃Suppose　you　can　make　it；　how　will　you　sell　it？〃　asked　Mrs。　Redburn；　casting　an　anxious　glance　at　the　enthusiastic　little　girl。

〃O；　I　shall　take　a　box；　and　offer　it　to　the　folks　that　pass　along　the　streets。〃

〃Are　you　crazy；　Katy？〃　exclaimed　the　mother；　raising　her　head　on　the　bed。　〃Do　you　think　I　could　permit　you　to　do　such　a　thing？〃

〃Why　not；　mother？〃

〃What　a　life　for　a　child　to　lead！　Do　you　think　I　could　let　you　wander　about　the　streets　exposed　to　the　insults　and　rude　jests　of　the　vicious　and　thoughtless？　You　do　not　understand　what　you　propose。〃

〃I　think　I　do；　mother。　I　don't　see　any　harm　in　selling　candy　to　those　who　are　willing　to　buy。〃

〃Perhaps　there　is　no　harm　in　the　mere　act　of　selling　candy；　but　what　a　life　for　you　to　lead！　It　makes　me　shudder　to　think　of　it。〃

〃It　is　your　pride；　mother。〃

〃I　am　thankful　I　have：　some　pride　left；　Katy。〃

〃But　mother；　we　can't　be　poor　and　proud。　We　haven't　got　any　money　to　proud　with。〃

〃I　am　proud；　I　know；　I　wish　I　could　banish　it；〃　replied　Mrs。　Redburn；　with