d woman in spite of her coarse nature.
She could not exactly see what had made Lilac cry just now, but she went
up to her and spoke soothingly.

"There, there," she said, "it's natural to take on, but you'll be better
soon, when you get down to the farm alonger Agnetta. You must think of
all you've got to be thankful for. And now I should relish a cup o'
tea, for I started away early; so we'll go down and you'll get it for
me, I dessay. I brought a little in my pocket in case you should be out
of it. I shouldn't wonder if Bella was able to give this a bit of
style,"--taking off the bonnet. "She's wonderful clever with her
fingers."

Mrs Greenways drank her tea, made Lilac take some and eat some bread
and butter, which she wished to refuse but dared not.

"Now you feel better, don't you?" she said good-naturedly. "And before
I start off home, Lilac, I've got a word to say, and that is that I hope
you're proper and thankful for all your uncle's going to do for you."

"Yes, Aunt," said Lilac.

"If it wasn't for him, you know, there'd only be the house for you to go
to. Just think o' that! What a disgrace it 'ud be! It's a great
expense to have an extry mouth to feed and a growing girl to clothe in
these bad times, but we must put up with it."

"I can work, Aunt," said Lilac. "I can do lots of things."

"Well, I hope you'll do what you can," replied Mrs Greenways.
"Because, as you haven't a penny of your own, you ought to do summat in
return for your uncle's charity. That's only fair and right, isn't it?"

Her mother's words came into Lilac's mind: "Don't be beholden to no
one."

"I don't mind work, Aunt," she repeated more boldly. "I'd rather work.
Mother, she always taught me to."

"Well, that's a good thing," said Mrs Greenways. "Because, now you're
left so desolate, you've got nothing to look to but your own hands and
feet. But as to being any help--you're small and young, you see, and
you can't be anything but a burden to us for years to come."

A burden! That was a new idea to Lilac.

"And so," finished Mrs Greenways, rising, "I hope as how you'll be a
good gal, and grateful, and always remember that if it wasn't for us
you'd be on the parish, instead of at Orchards Farm."

She made her way out of the door, and stopped at the garden gate to call
back over her shoulder:

"Mind and bring no rubbish along with you. Nothing but clothes."

Lilac's tears dropped fast into the painted deal b