the time. When I was a gal there was a hymn--it was
about angels and golden crownds and harps, but I can't put it rightly
together now. So then I woke and there was you, and I thought you was a
sperrit. Seems a pity to wake up from a dream like that. But _I_
dunno."

She let her head fall wearily back as she finished. Lilac was not in
the least interested by the vision. She was accustomed to hear of Mrs
Wishing's angels and harps, and her mind was now entirely occupied by
earthly matters.

"What you want is summat to eat and drink," she said, "and I shall just
have to run back to Uncle Joshua's for some bread and tea. But first
I'll get a few sticks and make you a blaze to keep you comp'ny."

Mrs Wishing's eyes rested an her like those of a child who is being
comforted and taken care of, as having collected a few sticks she knelt
on the hearth and fanned them into a blaze with her pinafore.

"You couldn't bide a little?" she said doubtfully, as Lilac turned
towards the door.

"I'll be back in no time," said Lilac, "and then you shall have a nice
supper, and you mustn't take no more of this," pointing to the teapot.
"You know you promised Mother."

"I didn't _go to_," repeated Mrs Wishing submissively; "but it seemed
as if I couldn't bear the gnawing in my inside."

It did not take long for Lilac, filled with compassion for her old
friend, to run back to the cobbler's cottage; but there she was delayed
a little, for Joshua had questions to ask, although he was ready and
eager to fill her basket with food. The return was slower, for it was
all uphill and her burden made a difference to her speed, so that it was
long past sunset when she reached Mrs Wishing for the second time.
Then, after coaxing her to eat and drink, Lilac had to help her upstairs
and put her to bed like a child, and finally to sit by her side and talk
soothingly to her until she dropped into a deep sleep. Her duties over,
and everything put ready to. Mrs Wishing's hand for the next morning,
she now had time to notice that it was quite dusk, and that the first
stars were twinkling in the sky. With a sudden start she remembered her
aunt's words: "Be back afore dusk," and clasped her hands in dismay. It
was no use to hurry now, for however quickly she went the farm would
certainly be closed for the night before she reached it. Should she
stay where she was till the morning? No, it would be better to take the
chance of finding someone