{"product_id":"2940011865893","title":"HIS LITTLE MOTHER, and other tales and sketches","description":"This ebook edition has been proofed and corrected for errors and compiled to read with pleasure!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e****\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHIS LITTLE MOTHER\u003cbr\u003ePART I. TEN YEARS OLD\u003cbr\u003ePART II. TWENTY YEARS OLD\u003cbr\u003ePART III. THIRTY YEARS OLD\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePOOR PRIN\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTWO LITTLE TINKERS\u003cbr\u003eI.\u003cbr\u003eII.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTHE POSTMAN'S DAUGHTER\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eABOUT TRAVELLING AND TRAVELLERS\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSAVE THE CHILDREN\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSINLESS SABBATH-BREAKING\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDE MORTUIS.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e*** \u003cbr\u003eAn excerpt from:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHIS LITTLE MOTHER\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePART I. - \u003cbr\u003eTEN YEARS OLD.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTHEY sat close together—a rather isolated little pair, boy and girl, apparently brother and sister—at the merry tea-table of a children's party.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChildren's parties then were not exactly what they are now. We used to be invited at four o'clock, and we always left at half-past eight—on our feet, generally—for our toilettes were not of a kind which would startle the streets of that innocent country town. We had short sleeves, certainly, and comparatively low necks, but tippets and long white linen gloves made all right, and our frocks descended comfortably to the ankle. Besides which we wore beautiful white frilly \"trowsers\" — or plain ones of the same material as the dress. Hats, too, which really covered the head, and were tied down, gipsy fashion, over a bush of curls—if our hair would curl; if not, it was plaited into tails—the more the better. I remember, on state occasions, my mother used to plait mine into six, three on each side, tied with bright ribbons, of which I was exceedingly proud.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis, little girl—perhaps she had no mother to be conceited about her hair, for it was only divided into two tails, not very carefully plaited, and tied with rather shabby brown ribbon. Neither she nor the little boy was quite as well dressed as the rest of the young party, but they were neat and clean, and, though not exactly blooming children, were interesting, if only from the way they seemed to hang together, as though accustomed to depend upon themselves, or rather upon one another, for everything.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt least, so it seemed to the lady who watched them—one Miss Waldershare, a rich and lonely woman, glad of any interest, especially when it came in the shape of a child. She was only a passing visitor in the town, and had come almost accidentally to the party, where she had nobody belonging to her. Neither had these two little people, apparently. All the other young guests had come with mothers, aunts, or nurses; but these, Miss Waldershare had observed, had walked in, walked upstairs to take their things off, and walked down again, hand-in-hand, quite alone.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe two little faces, unlike, and yet with a certain family look which satisfied her as to their relationship, touched her more than all the merry faces round the table. Particularly so when dangerous dainties circulated round it, and the boy would look appealingly to the girl, who smiled back either a \" No \" or a \" Yes.\" But both were given smilingly and accepted obediently. He was a big handsome boy, much bigger and handsomer than his sister, with a soft, good-natured, rather weak expression; whereas she was small, dark, thin, with sharp, firm features; an \"old\" face rather, which might almost have been called plain but for the look of love in her eyes, and the sweet decision of her mouth. All the better! since the boy, pretty as he was, seemed of an undecided nature; as if it were almost a relief to have somebody to settle everything for him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo at least thought Miss Waldershare, amused to notice how character shows itself even at ten years old.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\" You are about ten, I suppose, my dear,\" said she to the little girl, \" and a sensible girl you are too, not to let your brother eat too much plum cake. And he is a good boy to mind what you say,\" added she, patting the handsome head, which had drooped disconsolately when, for the third time, the tempting dish was allowed to pass.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"We are both ten, Ma'am\" (children were always taught to say \"Ma'am\" and \"Sir\" in those days), \" we are twins, though I am so little, and he is so big and tall. I am obliged to be very careful what he eats. He is not as strong as he looks, and he does not like being ill, or taking physic.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\" Nobody does, I think. But he is a lucky boy to have such a wise little sister.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\" I am his little mother,\" answered the child, in a grave, old-fashioned way. \"Mamma told me I was to be his little mother till she came back again.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\" Is she away from home, then?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\" A long way from home—in India. She has been gone two years and a month. It will be four years and eleven months before she and papa are back again.\"","brand":"OGB","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47183233810672,"sku":"2940011865893","price":1.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940011865893_p0.jpg?v=1763550494","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940011865893","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}