THE HOUSE OF THE GRANDMOTHERS.CHAPTER XI.—For Great-grandmama Lois.
Not one of the grandmothers heard Mary Ellen on the stairs or on the landing, and the little creature patted along by the wall in her pretty red slippers, past the door where she had tumbled in the day before, past Madam Esther’s, and turned into the other hall with her rose. This hall was lighted by a large window, and as Mary Ellen felt the sunshine full in her face she began to smile and look like herself again. She pattered along faster, smiling and smiling, and just as she came to the last door was on the point of exploding into a whole fireworks of laughs and crows and calls, as was her way when very much pleased.
“Gum-um!” she called, but first running into the corner and backing up close against the wall. Mary Ellen had no notion of falling in whenthisdoor opened.
It was at Old Lady Lois’s room that she had stopped, as she her little self knew very well. The door opened instantly. But the dear old great-grandmother did not see the child at first. She looked all about her, as if very much alarmed.
“Yosy!” Mary Ellen cried out. “Yosy, Gum-um!” She toddled forward and held up the big wet rose.
Old Lady Lois gathered her up in her arms and went in. “Are you up hereagain, child?” she said, reproachfully.
“Yosy,” said Mary Ellen. “Yosy.”
“Yes, pretty rosy,” answered Old Lady Lois.
“Yosy!” persisted Mary Ellen.
“YOSY!” SAID MARY ELLEN.
“YOSY!” SAID MARY ELLEN.
“YOSY!” SAID MARY ELLEN.
“You best take the flower, Mrs. Gray,” said Mrs. Camp. The others had heard the chirping of the little voice and had come in to see what had happened.
“Don’t you see she has brought it on purpose foryou? Itoldyou she would know us apart. I knew she would knowyouby yourflower! She must have been very observing when her mother has had her up here, to know which was your room.”
“Yosy,” said Mary Ellen, pushing the wet flower up against the gentle old face. This time Old Lady Lois took the rose and pinned it in her kerchief. She looked very pleased. The child seemed satisfied now. She laid her little yellow head back on the white kerchiefed shoulder and looked around on the others.
“I shouldn’t be surprised,” said Mrs. Persis, contemplating her, “if she has broken the vase getting the rose out. Her dress seems very wet.”
“Notty watty,” said Mary Ellen.
Madam Esther had gone down-stairs. She came up now with Mary Ellen’s father and mother. Poor Mama Nan seemed even more terrified and breathless than on the day before. “Itoldyou I should never know another moment’s peace,” said she.
Papa Dick laughed at her. “You ought to feel relieved,” said he. “Here your smart little Mary Ellen has taught herself, all alone, how to go up-stairs.”
But Mama Nan was not to be comforted in that way. “Whatisto be done?” said she. “She will undertake this thing every day.” And here she quite broke down and began to sob in a miserable helpless way.
Nobody spoke for a minute. Then Great-Grandmother Day said gently, “Just let me take her in charge, Nancy. I promise you the child shall soon go up and down with perfect safety.”
Mama Nan started up in fresh terror. “She has got to learn how to godowntoo? Oh, me!”
MARY ELLEN LOOKED AFTER THEM.
MARY ELLEN LOOKED AFTER THEM.
MARY ELLEN LOOKED AFTER THEM.
“See here, Nan, you better come down-stairs,” said Papa Dick, a droll look about his mouth.
They went out, leaving Mary Ellen with her grandmothers. She sat up and looked after them, with big eyes. “Mama k’y!” she said.
Ella Farman Pratt.