Gratia's Trials — page 65: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

56 © GRATIA’S TRIALS. cot the key of that dark closet in my pocket, and there it'll stay till I choose to take it out.” Pak Gratia said no more, until Mrs. Simmons’ temporary absence from the room gave her an opportunity. ‘‘ George,” she said to the bright little boy, who was the only one among the children who evinced anything like childish ani- mation or vivacity, ‘‘how often does Mrs. Moultrie visit the nursery ?” “*Oh, Mamma Moultrie never comes.” ‘Why not?” ‘‘Don’t know,” was the carelessly uttered reply. ‘Is she good to you ?” . "Ess, Georgie answered. ‘‘I love Mamma Moultrie. I love Nurse Simmons. They whips little boys ’at don’t say so. \ They whipped Aleck. Mamma Moulrie never comes here, but when my,own mamma comes to see me I am washed and my hair curled, and I go to the company nursery, where Kate and Gussie Moultrie stay all the time. There’sa big spotted rocking-horse there, and some marbles. It’s nicer than it is here.” At this stage of Georgie’s confidences Mrs. Simmons came back. ‘If there isn’t that dratted child over on his back again !” she exclaimed, setting poor little Aleck up with a jerk. ‘‘I be- lieve he’s gettin’ to be a fool.” And the child's vacant face, as he looked up in her face, muh muring, ‘‘ Me tired, me tired!” would almost seem to confirm her words. ‘I’m sure if he is, it'll be all your fault,” said a pleasant- looking woman, who had come in with a pile of blankets on — her arm. ‘‘ He was bright enough when first he came here, the Lord help him !” ‘Hold your tongue, Hannah !” said Mrs. Simmons, sharply. ‘‘ Haven't you let that Flora out yet?” asked Hannah, paus- Eomichooks!: co