Produced by Al Haines
[Frontispiece: Betty came to a standstill, and Prince likewise, the latter putting his tongue out and looking up inquiringly, as he panted for breath.]
ODD
By
Amy Le Feuvre
The Religious Tract Society
4 Bouverie Street, London, E.C. 4
1919
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I CAGED BIRDS
CHAPTER II 'MOTHER NATURE'
CHAPTER III WAS IT AN ANGEL?
CHAPTER IV ADVENTURES
CHAPTER V PRINCE
CHAPTER VI MADE INTO A COUPLE
CHAPTER VII HAYMAKING
CHAPTER VIII GOD'S PATCHWORK
CHAPTER IX BETTY'S DISCOVERY
CHAPTER X A LITTLE MESSENGER
CHAPTER XI A DARING FEAT
CHAPTER XII UNCLE HARRY'S FRIEND
CHAPTER XIII 'WHEN WE TWO MET'
CHAPTER XIV A HERO'S DEATH
CHAPTER XV COMFORTED
CHAPTER I
Caged Birds
It was just four o'clock on a dull grey winter afternoon. The little Stuarts' nursery looked the picture of cosiness and comfort with the blazing fire that threw flickering lights over the bright-coloured pictures on the walls, the warm carpet under foot, and the fair fresh faces of the children gathered there.
Five of them there were, and they were alone, for the old nurse who had brought them all up from their infancy was at present absent from the room.
By one of the large square windows stood one of the little girls; she was gazing steadily out into the fast darkening street below, her chin resting on one of the bars that were fastened across the lower part of the window. How the children disliked those bars! Marks of little teeth were plainly discernible along them, and no prisoners could have tried more perseveringly to shake them from their sockets than they did. Betty, who stood there now, had received great applause one afternoon when, after sundry twists and turns, she had successfully thrust her little dark curly head through, and was able to have a delightfully clear view of all the passers-by.
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: Odd by Amy Le Feuvre
- 2: A sharp push sent Bobby to the ground
- 3: ''Not even if they've been through great tribulation
- 4: They are dreadfully heavy and dull
- 5: Roper never repulsed any of the children
- 6: ''Because Molly was saying her prayers
- 7: Molly sat up in bed and looked thoughtful
- 8: Roper sat down on the stairs by her and laughed heartily
- 9: Roper made short work of these questions
- 10: ' Douglas went on thoughtfully
- 11: Mother Nestor I forget the name
- 12: If she could only go through tribulation
- 13: The harps were playing and the angels singing
- 14: And then softer and softer to a whisper
- 15: And these were given over to Douglas
- 16: Unless it's an ogre or a giant that stops them
- 17: Pointing with her small finger down the grassy avenue
- 18: ' Douglas suggested cheerfully
- 19: 'you shan't always hold a cold dead lily
- 20: ' murmured Betty a little incoherently
- 21: Giles comforted her with the assurance 'There
- 22: Only I think he called her Mother Nesta
- 23: Because I haven't been through tribulation yet
- 24: And all the Lunnon doctors were sent for
- 25: 'Do you know about tribulation
- 26: And she had a nod from the sexton at the church door
- 27: Betty crept up close to the player
- 28: And Nesta was silent for a moment
- 29: Always go to Him when you've been naughty
- 30: Nesta Fairfax had comforted her
- 31: Who should come across the field but Nesta Fairfax
- 32: Jane went back with them to Lunnon
- 33: But I feel very sorry for Miss Nesta
- 34: As the tired haymakers were resting
- 35: 'Prince is ever so much nicer than you are much nicer
- 36: If I'd bin through tribbylation
- 37: If I haven't been through tribulation
- 38: And be troubled in her mind concarning tribbylation
- 39: Knowing that tribbylation worketh patience
- 40: A wantin' to have tribbylation
- 41: ' questioned Betty sceptically
- 42: Nesta smiled at the excited child
- 43: But Betty rubbed her eyes in bewilderment when she got there
- 44: 'This outburst from Betty was too much for Nesta
- 45: Fairfax stooped to give the expected kiss
- 46: I go to church to hear Miss Fairfax play the organ
- 47: As Nesta was putting on her hat upstairs in the bedroom
- 48: She was one of the Miss Champneys
- 49: Betty sat up with flushed cheeks and bright eyes
- 50: Russell had promised to bring back Betty himself
- 51: And for some time Betty was left alone
- 52: Do you think a dog can go through tribulation
- 53: Giles and Sam and all the others
- 54: And audacious as she was in daring feats
- 55: 'It was Douglas who was addressed
- 56: 'Captain Stuart put Betty down from his knee
- 57: And pain and suffering is tribulation
- 58: 'Please sing about tribulation
- 59: Nesta came out of the church with Betty
- 60: Led her on to talk about Nesta
- 61: Fairfax and bring me back an answer
- 62: Fairfax lifted the child on her knee
- 63: Nesta looked up at him bewildered
- 64: Clair was going to marry Betty's Miss Fairfax
- 65: ' Douglas said a little impatiently
- 66: We must see where he is bitten
- 67: ' Then turning to Farmer Giles
- 68: And Betty lay with her arms round Prince's basket
- 69: 'Farmer Giles said he saved your life
- 70: Betty shook her curly head mournfully
- 71: He leant forward and lifted Betty on his knee
- 72: Is this coming through tribulation