“Oh,” with a little sigh. “I thought maybe you didn’t remember me.”
“As if I could ever forget; but where is Tony? have you given him away?” and he looked into her eyes with a smile.
“No, I didn’t give him away. I love him too much to give him to any one; but he’s lost. He broke his string, while I was out singing, and Tante Pauline was too lame to catch him, and I searched and looked everywhere for him, and then I couldn’t sing any more—and—” and here she paused, flushing deeply while the tears gathered on her lashes.
“She’s just the same adorable little creature,” whispered Arthur to Mrs. Lanier, while he stroked her hair softly. Then he bent over her and asked her very earnestly and gravely:
“Do you remember that day on the cars, Lady Jane, when I gave you Tony?”
“Why, yes,—or I wouldn’t know you,” she replied ingenuously.
“Well, your mama was with you then. Where is she now?”
“Oh,” with a very sad sigh, “I don’t know; she’s gone away. I thought she’d come back, and I waited and waited; but now I don’t look any more. I think she’s with papa, and isn’t coming back.”
“When did she go? My darling, try to remember about your mama,” urged Mrs. Lanier gently.
“It was so long ago, I can’t tell when it was,” she said dejectedly. “I was ill, and when I got well Tante Pauline said she had gone.”