She put Bennie down very gently, rose, and
took the shaking little figure in her strong arms, and
held it as though never to let it go again. There were
little broken words of love and pity. She called her
"Lammchen" and "little one," and so Frau Nirlanger and
Blackie and I stole away, after a whispered consultation
with the little probation officer.
Blackie had come in his red runabout, and now he
tucked us into it, feigning a deep disgust.
"I'd like to know where I enter into this little
drayma," he growled. "Ain't I got nothin' t' do but run
around town unitin' long lost sisters an' orphans!"
"Now, Blackie, you know you would never have forgiven
me if I had left you out of this. Besides, you must
hustle around and see that they need not move out of that
dear little cottage. Now don't say a word! You'll never
have a greater chance to act the fairy godmother."
Frau Nirlanger's hand sought mine and I squeezed it
in silent sympathy. Poor little Frau Nirlanger, the
happiness of another had brought her only sorrow. And
she had kissed Bennie good-by with the knowledge that the
little blue-painted bed, with its faded red roses, would
again stand empty in the gloom of the Knapf attic.
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