ABOUT an hour after dinner Kit fell into a sound sleep, and her mother laid her in her little bed, thankful that she could get a good rest, for the least exertion seemed to fatigue her.
Ben took the opportunity to look about him, as Mrs. Gray had given him leave to go where he liked, so long as he kept the cottage in sight. He examined each corner of the little garden, for every plant and shrub was a wonder to the little fellow, who had lived all his days in the back streets of a squalid part of London.
Half of the garden was laid out in cabbages, onions, beans, and parsley, with a border of sweet-smelling flowers round it. The other half was a nice even plot of green grass, where Mrs. Gray hung her clothes to dry, but a wide-spreading apple tree threw a pleasant shade on the one side, and here the little family had often sat in the summer evenings, before Ben and Kit so unexpectedly joined them.
There was a little shed, too, where the garden tools were kept, and beside it a hen-house and a dog's kennel, and next the hen-house, where the hens roosted and had their nests, was a small yard enclosed by wire-fence to keep them off the garden, and here a hole had been made into the field beyond, so that "Master Scott," as they called the Scotch gray cock, could roam about with his four companions, Speckle, Beauty, Black Bess, and Snowflake, without doing mischief.
At roosting time, Mrs. Gray let them come round the cottage door to eat their supper, and then "Master Scott" would grow very bold and fly onto the kitchen dresser and give a triumphant crow.
Ben asked if he might look into the hen-house, and Mrs. Gray said she would come and show him the hen that was sitting on thirteen eggs.
"You must never disturb her, Ben; for, if she sits steadily, this day week there will be a brood of young chicks, and Kit and you shall each have one for your own.”
Of course, Ben was highly delighted, and promised to be careful. After this he went into the meadows and made friends with "Master Scott" and the old hen who had carefully gathered her chicks under her wing the night before.
It was hard work for Beauty to do this now, for her children were growing big and their heads would poke out from between her feathers, and though she stretched her wings ever so wide, the little black chick could find no room, but had to perch on her back.
By the time Kit woke up, Ben had gathered her a bunch of buttercups and daisies, and then he asked permission to take her for a walk.
"Be very careful then, and only go a little way, Ben," said the mother, fearful lest any harm might come to her new found treasure.
"I always take care of Kit, no harm comes to her when I'm by; does it, Kit?" said Ben, drawing himself up.
"No, no horses run over me, or big boys knock me down. Ben always takes me up in his arms and carries me safe home when I's tired. He's the bestest boy," and she looked at him in his new suit with great satisfaction.
"Doesn't it seem strange, Kit, to be here," said Ben, as they walked up and down the road, "with good dinners, teas, nice clothes, and such beautiful hens and chickens.”
"Yes; and Jesus is here too, isn't He? and He gave us these nice things? The lady said so.”
"Of course He is; and He helped your father and mother find you. We ought to thank Him. I believe it all comes because we went to the Sunday school. See how we got the fine treat, and then how your mother came to the field and saw you crying, and found out that you were her little girl. Kit, we ought to thank Jesus about it; the Sunday school belongs to Him!" said Ben, solemnly.
"Where will we kneel down, Ben?”
"There's a nice little shed would do," said Ben, "come along and I'll show you." They opened the door of the shed, and finding a clean spot, the children took hands and knelt as they had knelt many a time in the little back room at Peters Street. "You first, Kit, then me next," said Ben.
"Bless me, Jesus Lord, and Ben too," began Kit, "I'm very glad I've found my father and mother and baby, and You have given us all these nice things-Amen.”
"And take care of the Sunday school now we are not there," added Ben, "and help me to be handy to my new father and mother, and take us all to heaven, because you're the Savior-Amen.”
The mother had watched them go into the shed, and wondering what kept them there, had stolen on tip-toe round to the other side, and looked in through a space between the boards.
The sight she saw caused her unmingled astonishment. She had no idea that the little ones had learned thus to pray and tell Jesus of their joys as well as their troubles. Kittie's eyes were closed, and the light from the door fell upon her sweet serene little face, while Ben, with knitted brows, was moving his head from side to side, and clasping her hand firmly.
"I'm glad we've thanked Him; now it won't look as if we had forgotten," he said as they rose. "It would be real mean, you know, Kit, when God took such care of us in Peters Street. Miss Randolph said she would come and see us some day, and hear our verses. We mustn't forget them. Let's come under the tree and say them.”
Mrs. Gray stepped forward, and without appearing to have seen the children before, asked them to come and help her get tea ready, for father was coming in, and they were all to have tea on the green. She wanted them to carry out the cups and plates, and bread and butter, then after that she wished them to sing their hymns.