A Dangerous Adventure. 109

 

“ But, mamma,” said Lucy, “their mother is
dead, and so she won’t be able to wash them ;
and Mrs. Smith said I must be their little
mother; and if I don’t wash them they will get
so dirty. I made the water nice and warm, so
that they should like it.”

Mrs. Marchwood could not help smiling.
“My dear,” she said, “I have no doubt you
intended to be very kind, but I assure you little
Kitty will think you very cruel; she will soon
learn to lick herself, and so keep herself white.”

A few days after Fanny had come down, Mr.
Summers had promised the children to take
them as far as the cliffs, but some unexpected
business called both him and Mr. Marchwood
up to town. The children were much disap-
pointed at not being able to have their promised
treat, especially as they were to remain only
one day longer at the sea-side.

“JT think they might go with nurse,” said Mrs.
Marchwood ; “I don’t like disappointing little