Part 16 (1/2)

The Twin Cousins Sophie May 31620K 2022-07-22

It was the funniest thing, but really and truly, before many days that dear old lady used to step into the pony carriage and let little Flaxie drive her all around the town! Everybody nodded and smiled as the couple pa.s.sed by, and said it was ”the cunningest sight,” for grandma wasn't so very much bigger than Flaxie, and they looked like two little girls riding out, only grandma's hair was silver-white, and Flaxie's spun gold.

Through the whole summer Preston's eyes grew worse and worse. It was all twilight to him now, or, as somebody calls it, ”the edge of the dark.”

He still took care of Blackdrop, by the help of Henry, but he could not ride out unless somebody else held the reins.

”But then this sort of thing won't last always,” said he to his particular friend, Bert Abbott. ”Just wait a year or two, sir, and I shall be as good as anybody.”

CHAPTER XI.

FLAXIE A COMFORT.

The days went on, and still Preston's eyes were not ”ready.” Winter came, then spring, and Milly paid another visit to Laurel Grove. She was one of those quiet, happy little girls, who make hardly any more noise than a sunbeam; but everybody likes to see a sunbeam, and everybody was glad to see Milly.

She was even more welcome than usual at Laurel Grove just now, for by this time Preston's eyes were ”ready,” and his father was about taking him to New York.

There were four grown people left in the house, and five children beside Milly; still it seemed lonesome, for everybody was thinking about Preston, and wondering if the doctor would hurt him very much.

”He can't see _what_ the doctor is doing to him,” said Flaxie to Milly; ”I shouldn't think G.o.d would let my brother be blind, my _good_ brother Preston!”

”G.o.d knows what is best,” replied Milly, meekly.

”Yes, but, oh dear, I feel so bad! Let's go out in the kitchen and see what Dodo is doing.”

Grandma, mamma, and Julia looked sadder than ever to hear Flaxie talk in this way and run out of the parlor crying.

Dora stood by the kitchen-table ironing very cheerfully.

”Dodo,” said Flaxie, ”what shall we do to have a good time?”

”Such a funny child as you are, Miss Flaxie,” said the girl, trying another flatiron; ”haven't you everything to your mind, and haven't you always had ever since you were born?”

”No, indeed, Dodo,” said Flaxie, mournfully, breaking off a corner from a sheet of sponge-cake which stood cooling in the window; ”_I_ don't want my brother to be blind.”

”Well, but you can't help it, though. So you'd better not go round the house, moping in this way and worrying your mother,” returned Dora, making a quick plunge with her flatiron into the folds of a calico dress.

Worrying her mother! Flaxie had not thought of that. She supposed she was showing very kind and tender feelings when she cried about Preston.

”Let's go back to the parlor,” said Milly; ”perhaps Aunt Emily will feel better if we talk and laugh and play with the baby.”

”That's the nicest little thing I ever saw,” thought Dora, gazing after Milly; ”she don't fret about her own feelings, but tries to make other folks happy.”

This was very true, but you mustn't suppose that Flaxie didn't also try to make other people happy. She did whenever she could think of it. She was really learning lessons in unselfishness every day; and how could she help it when everybody in the house set her such a good example?

She and Milly went back to the parlor now, and talked to grandma about their western cousins, Pollio and Posy Pitcher; and then they made little Phil eat apples like a squirrel,--a very funny performance. After that they told him to go into the middle of the room, make a bow, and ”speak his piece.” That was funny too, and Ethel joined in on a high key:

”Poor little fish, I know you wish To live as well as I; I will not hook you from the brook, Or even wish to try.

”And you, old frog, behind the log, I will not stop your song; Your great round eyes may watch the flies, I will not do you wrong.”