Lizzie Leigh by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
page 23 of 43 (53%)
page 23 of 43 (53%)
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But Mrs. Leigh had fainted. The strange joy and shame, and gushing love
for the little child, had overpowered her; it was some time before Susan could bring her round. There she was all trembling, sick with impatience to look at the little frocks. Among them was a slip of paper which Susan had forgotten to name, that had been pinned to the bundle. On it was scrawled in a round stiff hand-- "Call her Anne. She does not cry much, and takes a deal of notice. God bless you and forgive me." The writing was no clue at all; the name "Anne," common though it was, seemed something to build upon. But Mrs. Leigh recognised one of the frocks instantly, as being made out of a part of a gown that she and her daughter had bought together in Rochdale. She stood up, and stretched out her hands in the attitude of blessing over Susan's bent head. "God bless you, and show you His mercy in your need, as you have shown it to this little child." She took the little creature in her arms, and smoothed away her sad looks to a smile, and kissed it fondly, saying over and over again, "Nanny, Nanny, my little Nanny." At last the child was soothed, and looked in her face and smiled back again. "It has her eyes," said she to Susan. "I never saw her to the best of my knowledge. I think it must be hers by the frock. But where can she be?" |
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