Mrs. Brownlow was well used to being
called on to do the many services suggested by a kind heart in the
course of a medical man's practice, and there was very little within,
or beyond, reason that she would not have done at her Joe's bidding.
So she made the arrangement, exciting much gratitude in the heads of
the Pomfret House Establishment for Young Ladies; though without
seeing little Miss Allen, till, from the Doctor's own brougham, but
escorted only by an elderly maid-servant, there came climbing up the
stairs a little heap of shawls and cloaks, surmounted by a big brown
mushroom hat.
"Very proper of Joe. He can't be too particular,—-but such a child!"
thought Mrs. Brownlow as the mufflings disclosed a tiny creature,
angular in girlish sort, with an odd little narrow wedge of a face,
sallow and wan, rather too much of teeth and mouth, large greenish-
hazel eyes, and a forehead with a look of expansion, partly due to
the crisp waves of dark hair being as short as a boy's. The nose was
well cut, and each delicate nostril was quivering involuntarily with
emotion—-or fright, or both.
Mrs. Brownlow kissed her, made her rest on the sofa, and talked to
her, the shy monosyllabic replies lengthening every time as the
motherliness drew forth a response, until, when conducted to the
cheerful little room which Mrs.
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