at street
four or five times every day the last faive years, and never done such
a thing afore. But there--" and he began to gurgle again, to Valmai's
horror, "there must always be a beginning to everything, so Ay slipped
on a d--d stone, somehow or other, and, being no light weight, broke my
leg, and sprained my wrist into the bargain. Take off your things, may
dear. Are you up for nursing an old man till he's well again?"

"Indeed, I'll do my best, whatever," said Valmai, taking off her hat
and cloak. "Uncle Essec said I was to stay until you were quite well."

"That's raight. Ay knew you'd come, my gel, though that old devil
wanted me to think that perhaps you wouldn't. 'She'll come,' ay sez,
'and if she's like her father she'll come almost afore she's asked.'
So ready, he was; and so kind. And how's old Essec? Got his nose
buried in them mouldy books same as ever?"

"Just the same," said Valmai. "Shall I take my things to my own room?"

"Yes, may dear. It's the little room a-top of this. Where's that old
hag now? She ought to be here to show you your room," and reaching a
heavy stick, which stood by his bedside, he knocked impatiently on the
bare boarded floor, calling Mrs. Finch! Mrs. Finch! so loudly at the
same time, that Valmai seriously feared he would burst a blood vessel.

"Deaf as a post," he said, gasping.

"Leave it to me, uncle; don't tire yourself. She has shown me my room,
and there she is taking my bag up. Now, see how quickly I'll be back,
and bring you a nice cup of tea, and one for myself in the bargain, for
I am famishing," and she left the room with a cheerful nod towards the
old man.

"Bless her purty face!" said the rumbling voice when the door was
closed. "Ay don't want her cup o' tea! Never could bear the slosh,
but Ay'm blest if Ay won't drink it to the dregs to please her."

In a very short time Valmai returned, carrying a tray laid out neatly
with tea-things for two; and, drawing a little round table towards the
bed, placed the tray upon it, while Mrs. Finch brought in some slices
of cold ham.

"There, you see," said Valmai, "I'm making myself quite at home. I
asked Mrs. Finch for that ham."

"Of course you did, may dear! Didn't Ay tell you, you old addlepate,"
he said, turning to poor Mrs. Finch, whose only desire seemed to be to
find a place for the ham and get out of the room--"didn't Ay tell you
the lil gel would come?"

"Iss you did--many taimes to-day,"