Mrs. Perry was at the door as soon as they had reached the
gate.
"Oh my!" she exclaimed, throwing up her hands with pleasure and
surprise at the sight of Huldah walking up the path actually wearing
her new purchase. "Oh my, how nice we do look! Now, I do call that
just perfect!"
The child's face was glowing with health and happiness, her eyes were
beaming with affection, and eager for sympathy. Could she possibly
be the little ill-used, runaway waif who had come to her door
starving, only so short a time ago? Mrs. Perry asked herself the
question as she looked at her, and in her heart thanked God for
sending her this blessing, this chance to help another; and for
staying her tongue when she had felt tempted to bid her begone.
Across her mind too flashed the thought of what might have happened
to Huldah, if she had turned her away that night. Would it have been
to the workhouse, or the jail she would have drifted,--this bonnie,
healthy, smiling child? But her mind was drawn back to healthier
thoughts by Huldah's little brown work-worn hands.
"Don't you like it, ma'am?" she was asking, troubled by the gravity
on Mrs. Perry's face.
"Like it!" she cried, coming back to the present with glad relief.
"I should think I did, and you in it, too, dear!" and for the first
time in her life she stooped and kissed the little maiden, and Huldah
returned the kiss with all the warmth of her affectionate heart
welling up to her lips.
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