come here, thinking maybe she'd step in some day
or other to buy a loaf of bread or something, because I knew she'd come
up to London. But she's never so much as passed by the
window--leastways when I've been watching, and I'm always watching. I
can't do my duty by Mr George for staring out o' the window.'

'Watching for Posy?' said little Meg.

'Ay, watching for Posy,' repeated Mrs Blossom, 'and she never goes by.'

'Have you asked God to let her go by?' asked Meg.

'Ay, my dear,' said Mrs Blossom. 'I ask Him every blessed day o' my
life.'

'Then she's sure to come some day,' said Meg joyfully. 'There's no
mistake about that, because Jesus says it in the Bible, and He knows
all about God. You've asked Him, and He'll do it. It's like father
coming. I don't know whether he'll come to-day or to-morrow, or when
it'll be; but he will come.'

'God bless and love you!' cried Mrs Blossom, suddenly putting baby down
in Meg's lap, and clasping all three of them in her arms. 'I'll
believe it, I will. He's sent you to give me more heart. God love you
all!'

It was some while before Mrs Blossom regained her composure; but when
she did, and it was time for Meg and the children to go home before it
was quite dark, she bound up Robin's foot in some rags, and gave Meg a
loaf to carry home with her, bidding her be sure to come again the next
day. Meg looked back to the shop many times before turning the corner
of the street, and saw Mrs Blossom's round face, with its white cap
border, still leaning over the door, looking after them, and nodding
pleasantly each time she caught Meg's backward glance. At the corner
they all three turned round, Meg holding up baby as high as her arms
could reach, and after this last farewell they lost sight of their new
friend.

CHAPTER X

Little Meg as Charwoman

Meg and her children did not fail to make their appearance the next
morning at Mrs Blossom's shop, where she welcomed them heartily, and
made them comfortable again by the kitchen fire. When they were well
warmed, and had finished some bread, and some coffee which had been
kept hot for them, Mrs Blossom put on a serious business air.

'Mr George and me have talked you over,' she said, 'and he's agreed to
something. I can't do my duty by him as I should wish, you know why;
and I want a little maid to help me.'

'Oh, if you please,' faltered little Meg, 'I couldn't leave our attic.
I promised mother I wouldn't go