Meanwhile, Oliver gradually throve and prospered under
the united care of Mrs. Maylie, Rose, and the kind-hearted
Mr. Losberne. If fervent prayers, gushing from
hearts overcharged with gratitude, be heard in heaven—and
if they be not, what prayers are!—the blessings
which the orphan child called down upon them, sunk
into their souls, diffusing peace and happiness.
OF THE HAPPY LIFE OLIVER BEGAN TO LEAD WITH HIS KIND FRIENDS
Oliver’s ailings were neither slight nor few.
In addition to the pain and delay attendant on a
broken limb, his exposure to the wet and cold had
brought on fever and ague: which hung about him
for many weeks, and reduced him sadly. But, at
length, he began, by slow degrees, to get better,
and to be able to say sometimes, in a few tearful
words, how deeply he felt the goodness of the two
sweet ladies, and how ardently he hoped that when he
grew strong and well again, he could do something
to show his gratitude; only something, which would
let them see the love and duty with which his breast
was full; something, however slight, which would prove
to them that their gentle kindness had not been cast
away; but that the poor boy whom their charity had
rescued from misery, or death, was eager to serve
them with his whole heart and soul.
‘Poor fellow!’ said Rose, when Oliver
had been one day feebly endeavouring to utter the
words of thankfulness that rose to his pale lips;
’you shall have many opportunities of serving
us, if you will. We are going into the country,
and my aunt intends that you shall accompany us.
The quiet place, the pure air, and all the pleasure
and beauties of spring, will restore you in a few
days. We will employ you in a hundred ways, when
you can bear the trouble.’
‘The trouble!’ cried Oliver. ’Oh!
dear lady, if I could but work for you; if I could
only give you pleasure by watering your flowers, or
watching your birds, or running up and down the whole
day long, to make you happy; what would I give to do
it!’
‘You shall give nothing at all,’ said
Miss Maylie, smiling; ’for, as I told you before,
we shall employ you in a hundred ways; and if you
only take half the trouble to please us, that you promise
now, you will make me very happy indeed.’
‘Happy, ma’am!’ cried Oliver; ‘how
kind of you to say so!’
‘You will make me happier than I can tell you,’
replied the young lady. ’To think that
my dear good aunt should have been the means of rescuing
any one from such sad misery as you have described
to us, would be an unspeakable pleasure to me; but
to know that the object of her goodness and compassion
was sincerely grateful and attached, in consequence,
would delight me, more than you can well imagine.
Do you understand me?’ she inquired, watching
Oliver’s thoughtful face.
‘Oh yes, ma’am, yes!’ replied Oliver
eagerly; ’but I was thinking that I am ungrateful
now.’
