The Stokesley Secret

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As to the giving the pig, that was a serious business; and David felt
hot and shy, and wanted to get it over as soon as possible without a
fuss.

So he bolted into Mrs. Higgins's cottage, put his hands behind his
back, and spoke thus:- "Please, Mrs. Higgins, put your pig-sty in
order! We've all done it--at least they all wanted to--and a green
order came down in a letter--and we've bought the pig, and Ben will
drive it home when he comes from work!"

And then, as if he had been in a great fright, he ran away; while
Johnnie stayed, and, when Hannah understood, received so many
curtsies, and listened to so much pleasure, that he could hardly
think of anything else, and felt very glad that SOME pence of his had
been in Toby Fillpot.

Annie said that it was not fair that she had not been at the giving
the pig; and Miss Fosbrook was a little disappointed too; but then it
was much better that David should not want to make a display, so she
would not complain, and comforted Annie by putting her in mind that
they could go and see the little pig in his new quarters.

A few days more, and the carriage was driving up to the door with
dear Mamma in it, and--why, there were three little girls, not two!
One look, and the colour came into Christabel's face. It was her
youngest little sister, Dora, who sat beside Bessie! Mrs. Merrifield
had gone to see Mrs. Fosbrook, and ask if she could take anything for
her to her daughter; and she had been so much shocked at the sight of
the little pale London faces, that she had begged leave to take home
one of the children to spend a month with her sister at Stokesley,
since Miss Fosbrook could not be spared to go home at present. Was
not that a secret for Christabel? How these two sisters did hug each
other!

But the Stokesley secrets have lasted long enough; and there is no
time to tell of the happy days of Dora's visit, and the good care
that Johnnie took of her whenever she went out, and of her pretty
quiet ways that made Bessie take her for her dearest of friends. And
still less can be told of the smooth, peaceful, free spirit that
seemed to have come home with Mamma, even though she was still able
to do little among the children, for the very having her in the house
appeared to keep things from going wrong.

One thing must be told, however, and that is, that when Annie told
all the wonderful story of the post-office order and the Chinese pig,
Bessie grew redder and redder in the face, and Susan squeezed both
her hands tight together, and said "May I tell, Bessie!"

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