Timmy stood
far more in awe of her than he did of his mother.
One of the stated times for Timmy's visits to the old night nursery
was just before he had to start for church each Sunday, and on this
particular Sunday, the day after that on which had occurred Dolly's
engagement, and Mrs. Crofton's return from London, he came in a few
moments before he was expected, and began wandering about the room, doing
nothing in particular. At once Nanna divined that he had something on his
mind about which he was longing, yet half afraid, to speak to her. She
said nothing, however, and at last it came out.
"I want you to lend me your Bible," he said, wriggling himself about. "I
want to take it to church with me."
This was the last thing Nanna had expected the boy to ask, for, of
course, Timmy had a Bible of his own, a beautiful thin-paper Bible, which
she herself had given him on his seventh birthday, having first asked his
mother's leave if she might do so. The Bible was in perfect condition. It
stood on a little mat on his chest of drawers, and not long before her
accident Nanna had gone into his bedroom, opened the sacred Book, and
gazed with pleasure on the inscription, written in her own large,
unformed handwriting, on the first page:
Timothy Godfrey Radmore Tosswill on his seventh birthday from his
loving nurse,
Emily Pew.
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