"I'm fond of children, miss," she said heartily. "I'm used to them--
I've left six little brothers and sisters behind me. Jims is a dear
child and I must say you've done wonders in bringing him up so healthy
and handsome. I'll be as good to him as if he was my own, miss. And I'll
make Jim toe the line all right. He's a good worker--all he needs is
some one to keep him at it, and to take charge of his money. We've
rented a little farm just out of the village, and we're going to settle
down there. Jim wanted to stay in England but I says 'No.' I hankered to
try a new country and I've always thought Canada would suit me."
"I'm so glad you are going to live near us. You'll let Jims come here
often, won't you? I love him dearly."
"No doubt you do, miss, for a lovabler child I never did see. We
understand, Jim and me, what you've done for him, and you won't find us
ungrateful. He can come here whenever you want him and I'll always be
glad of any advice from you about his bringing up. He is more your baby
than anyone else's I should say, and I'll see that you get your fair
share of him, miss."
So Jims went away--with the soup tureen, though not in it. Then the
news of the Armistice came, and even Glen St. Mary went mad. That night
the village had a bonfire, and burned the Kaiser in effigy. The fishing
village boys turned out and burned all the sandhills off in one grand
glorious conflagration that extended for seven miles.
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