nes. She turned and sprang up at the sound of voices
and feet, and had only time for a weak smile before she fell quite
senseless to the floor. Timmy waved a welcoming spoon, and shouted
lustily: "Dere's my muddy!"

Presently Belle was resting her head upon Joe's big shoulder, and
laughing and crying over the horrors of the night. Timothy was in his
mother's arms, but Molly had a hand free for Belle's hand and did not
let it go through all the hour that followed. Her arms might tighten
about the delicious little form, her lips brush the tumbled little
head--but her eyes were all for Belle.

"It wasn't so fierce," said Belle. "The water went highest at one; and
we went to the porch and thought we'd have to swim for it--didn't we,
Timmy? But it stayed still a long time, and it wasn't raining, and I
came in and set Timmy on the mantel--my arms were so tired. It's real
lucky we have a mantel, isn't it?"

"You stood, and held Tim on the mantel: that was it?" asked Jerry.

"Sure--while we was waiting," said Belle. "I wouldn't have minded
anything, but the waiting was fierce. Timmy was an angel! He set there
and I held him--I don't know--a long time. Then I seen that the water
was going down again; I could tell by the book-case, and I begun to
cry. Timmy kept kissing me--didn't you, lover?" She laughed, with
trembling lips and tearful eyes. "We'll have a fine time cleaning this
house," she broke off, trying to steady her voice; "it's simply
awful--everything's ruined!"

"We'll clean it up for your marriage, Belle," said Jerry, cheerfully,
clearing his throat. "Mrs. Tressady and I are going to start Mr. Rogers
here in business--"

"If you'd loan it to me at interest, sir--" Belle's young man began
hoarsely. Belle laid her hand over Molly's, her voice tender and
comforting--for Molly was weeping again.

"Don't cry, Mis' Tress'dy! It's all over now, and here we are safe and
sound. We've nothing to cry over. Instead," said Belle, solemnly, "we'd
ought to be thanking God that there was a member of the family here to
look out for Timmy, instead of just that hired governess and the Chinee
boys!"

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Poor, Dear Margaret Kirby and Other
Stories, by Kathleen Norris

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POOR, DEAR MARGARET KIRBY ***

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