"
By this time Diddie's eyes were swimming in tears, and Dumps was
sobbing aloud; seeing which, Tot began to cry too, though she hadn't
the slightest idea what was the matter; and Diddie, going to the side
of the bed, smoothed the woman's long black hair, and said,
"We'll take you home with us, an' we'll be good to your little boy, me
an' Dumps an' Tot, an' I'll give 'im some of my marbles."
"An' my little painted wagin," put in Dumps.
"An' you shall live with us always," continued Diddie; "an' Mammy'll
put yer feet into hot water, an' rub turkentine on yer ches', an' give
yer 'fermifuge' ev'y mornin', an' you'll soon be well. Papa, sha'n't
she go home with us?"
Major Waldron's own eyes moistened as he answered,
"We will see about it, my daughter;" and, telling the woman whose name
was Ann, that he would see her again, he left the tent, and presently
the camp.
That night, after the little folks were asleep, Major Waldron and his
wife had a long talk about the sick woman and her little boy, and it
was decided between them that Major Waldron should go the next morning
and purchase them both.
The children were delighted when they knew of this decision, and took
an active part in preparing one room of the laundry for Ann's
reception.
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