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Read Ebook: Kittyboy's Christmas by Blanchard Amy Ella Waugh Ida Illustrator
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Ebook has 268 lines and 12022 words, and 6 pages
The doctor turned abruptly, and held out his hand to the tall, fair woman who stood before him. "Elinor," he said,--the color mounted to the lady's cheek,--"Dr. Brewster," she faltered. "How--where did you learn of me?"
"At the club," replied the doctor, gravely and truthfully.
"It is truly good to see an old friend," continued Mrs. Temple. "You know--you have heard."
"I know nothing but that you are here," answered the doctor.
"My husband died two years ago," went on Mrs. Temple. "He was very good to me, and he idolized our little daughter." Her eyes dropped before the doctor's earnest gaze, but they had already told that which the doctor had for so many years longed to know, whether in marrying big, wealthy, dissipated Captain Temple, Elinor Arsquith had pleased merely herself, or whether to spare her father's good name she had sacrificed her girlhood.
He drew in his breath quickly, and for a moment no word was spoken between them.
"And your little girl?" asked the doctor, breaking the silence.
"She is with me here. I lost two little ones in Texas, and Elinor is all I have left. I felt that for her sake I must seek a different climate, and that is why I am here."
At that moment the curtains before the door parted, and a small figure appeared. A solemn-faced little midget, about six years old, clasping to her breast a battered doll, stood before them.
"Come in, dear, and speak to the doctor," Mrs. Temple said, glad of an interruption to a conversation which was becoming embarrassing.
The little one advanced slowly, till she stood by the doctor's side. "Must I put out my tongue?" she asked.
The doctor smiled. "No, I think I wouldn't. It's pretty cold for even a tongue to be out to-day."
The child laughed merrily. "I wanted to go and buy mamma a little bunch of vi'lets, but she said I would freeze my nose off, and I wouldn't be pretty without any nose, would I?" Then, glancing down at her dilapidated, noseless doll, she looked a little abashed. "Excuse me, Lily," she said gravely; "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I love you just as much as if you had as big a nose as the doctor's. I didn't have any money in my bank, anyhow," she continued, "and mamma could not spare any five centses. You know we aren't rich any more. I 'spect the flowers are frozen up, anyway."
"I'll get the violets for you," said the doctor, without looking at Mrs. Temple. "I know a nice, warm place where they live, and if you'll trust me I think I can find some fresh, sweet ones."
Elinor clasped her hands. "You're very nice," she assured him. "And if you won't give me any nasty medicine, I'll love you very much."
"I promise no nasty medicine," agreed the doctor, and their friendship was sealed. So well did it proceed that when the doctor took his leave, an hour later, Elinor hugged him frantically, saying, "Doctor, come to-morrow. I get so lonely, and so does mamma. I wish you'd come every day," and the doctor's smile answered the suggestion.
"Mamma," said the child, after the doctor had left them, "is that a very nice man?"
"Why, darling; yes--of course--yes--he is very nice."
"I fought so," she returned confidently. "Is he very 'spensive?"
"Oh, you mean--wealthy. I think so, enough so, at all events. What funny questions. Why do you want to know?"
"Just 'cause I like to ask funny questions. Mamma, do you like bread?"
"Why, you midget, you are just asking questions to tease your mudder. You know I like bread."
Elinor laughed gleefully, and looked down at her doll. "Lily told me a secret to-day," she said, "and she won't let me tell till Christmas. It's a very nice one, but I can't tell you, mamma."
"Very well. I will wait till Christmas."
"Don't you want to know it?" the child asked, anxiously.
"Not if you don't want to tell it."
"But I do, only Lily won't let me. Mamma, this morning I was a kitten."
"You were? I didn't discover it."
"I was. I had a red ribbon round my neck, and I was black, and Lily was Elinor Temple, and she played with me. See where I scratched her. Do you want me to be a kitten for you, mamma?"
"Not if you scratch, nor if you have to turn black."
That amused Elinor greatly.
"I doesn't have to. I've just make-believe claws. Mamma, are you going to take me to church on Christmas?"
"Why, of course. Don't you want to go?"
"I didn't last Sunday; it was so long. The man in the white gown said so much. I fink he was a chatterbox."
"Why, Elinor! what a thing to say about the good rector."
"Well, mamma, it is what you say about me when I talk a long time, and you love me."
Mrs. Temple smiled. "Then you don't want to go to church on Christmas?"
"You get tired sitting so long?"
"Oh, no, mamma; I couldn't get tired; I get too much rested."
"I see. Well, dearie, we will go to the early service, which is not so long."
"And then come home and have the Santa Claus part of it for dessert; that will be nice. I wish the doctor would come soon; I want to ask him somefing."
The doctor did come soon. Indeed, there was scarcely a day after this which did not see his stalwart form turning into the quiet street, and the affection between the grave man and the pretty child grew apace, so that many confidences passed between them.
One afternoon the two were cosily occupying one big chair, in the absence of Mrs. Temple, who was glad to leave her treasure so well satisfied to stay at home, while she attended to some Christmas shopping.
"Let's talk about Christmas," said Elinor, cuddling down by the side of the doctor, after watching her mother out of sight.
"Isn't there a Santa Claus?" she asked.
"So I have always been told."
"There, I said so; Bill says there isn't."
"And who is Bill?"
"Oh, a friend of mine," returned Elinor, jauntily.
"I should like to know something about him."
"What?"
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