ould prevent her seeing him.
The day seemed very long, but darkness came at last; and with it came
True--or rather Trueman Flint, for that was the lamplighter's name.
Gerty was on the spot, though she took good care to elude Nan Grant's
observation.

True was late about his work that night, and in a great hurry. He had
only time to speak a few words to Gerty; but they were words coming
straight from a good and honest heart. He put his great, smutty hand on
her head in the kindest way, told her how sorry he was she got hurt, and
said. "It was a plaguy shame she should have been whipped, too, and all
for a spill o' milk, that was a misfortin', and no crime."

"But here," added he, diving into one of his huge pockets, "here's the
critter I promised you. Take good care on't; don't 'buse it; and I'm
thinking, if it's like the mother I've got at home, 'twon't be a little
ye'll be likin' it, 'fore you're done. Good-bye, my little gal;" and he
shouldered his ladder and went off, leaving in Gerty's hands a little
grey-and-white kitten.

Gerty was so taken by surprise on finding in her arms a live kitten,
something so different from what she had anticipated, that she stood
irresolute what to do with it. There were a many cats, of all sizes and
colours, inhabitants of the neighbouring houses and yard;
frightened-looking creatures, which, like Gerty herself, ran about, and
hid themselves among the wood and coal, seeming to feel, as she did,
great doubts about their having a right to be anywhere. Gerty had often
felt a sympathy for them, but never thought of trying to catch one, and
carry it home; for she knew that food and shelter were grudgingly
accorded to herself, and would not be extended to her pets. Her first
thought, therefore, was to throw the kitten down, and let it run away.
But while she was hesitating, the little animal pleaded for itself in a
way she could not resist. Frightened by its long journey in True Flint's
pocket, it crept from Gerty's arms up to her neck, clung there, and,
with feeble cries, seemed to ask her to take care of it. Its eloquence
prevailed over all fear of Nan Grant's anger. She hugged pussy to her
bosom, and resolved to love and feed it, and keep it out of Nan's sight.

How much she came in time to love that kitten no words can tell. Her
little, fierce, untamed, impetuous nature had hitherto expressed itself
only in angry passion, sullen obstinacy, and hatred. But there were in
her soul fount