"I've spent some of the money--more'n two pounds o't. It do wherrit me

terribly; and I shall die o' the thought of that paper I signed with my

holy cross, as South died of his trouble."

"If you ask him to burn the paper he will, I'm sure, and think no

more of it."

"'Ch have done it once already, miss. But he laughed cruel like.

'Yours is such a fine brain, Grammer, 'er said, 'that science couldn't

afford to lose you. Besides, you've taken my money.'...Don't let your

father know of this, please, on no account whatever!"

"No, no. I will let you have the money to return to him."

Advertisement..

Grammer rolled her head negatively upon the pillow. "Even if I should

be well enough to take it to him, he won't like it. Though why he

should so particular want to look into the works of a poor old woman's

head-piece like mine when there's so many other folks about, I don't

know. I know how he'll answer me: 'A lonely person like you, Grammer,'

er woll say. 'What difference is it to you what becomes of ye when the

breath's out of your body?' Oh, it do trouble me! If you only knew how

he do chevy me round the chimmer in my dreams, you'd pity me. How I

could do it I can't think! But 'ch was always so rackless!...If I only

had anybody to plead for me!"

"Mrs. Melbury would, I am sure."

"Ay; but he wouldn't hearken to she! It wants a younger face than hers

to work upon such as he."

Grace started with comprehension. "You don't think he would do it for

me?" she said.

"Oh, wouldn't he!"

"I couldn't go to him, Grammer, on any account. I don't know him at

all."

"Ah, if I were a young lady," said the artful Grammer, "and could save

a poor old woman's skellington from a heathen doctor instead of a

Christian grave, I would do it, and be glad to. But nobody will do

anything for a poor old familiar friend but push her out of the way."

You are very ungrateful, Grammer, to say that. But you are ill, I

know, and that's why you speak so. Now believe me, you are not going

to die yet. Remember you told me yourself that you meant to keep him

waiting many a year."

"Ay, one can joke when one is well, even in old age; but in sickness

one's gayety falters to grief; and that which seemed small looks large;

and the grim far-off seems near."




Most Popular