ing himself useful,
prevailing upon Grandma Clay to allow him to do so by explaining that
he was a very firm friend of mine, and had had some experience of
invalids owing to his mother having been one for some years before her
death, both of which statements were perfectly true.

As I improved, I was anxious to discover what impression he had made
on the household, and cautiously sounded them.

"He seems to be a chap with some heart in him," said grandma. "He'd
put some of these fine lah-de-dahs to shame. I always like a man that
ain't above attending on a sick person. Like Jim Clay, he could put a
powltice on an' lift up a sick person better'n all the women I ever
see."

"It's always Jim Clay," said Dawn in an irreverent aside; "I never
heard of a man yet, whether he was tall or short, or squat or lean, or
young or old, but he was like Jim Clay, if he did any good. I'm about
dead sick of him."

"You don't seem to remember Jim Clay was your grandfather," I said, as
his relict left the room, "and that he is very dear in your
grandmother's memory. It is pleasing how she recalls him. Wait till
your hair is grey, my dear, and if you have some one as dearly
enshrined in your heart it will be a good sign that your life has not
been without savour."

"Yes, of course, I do forget to think of him as my grandfather, never
hearing of him only as this everlasting Jim Clay, and if he was like
that red-headed fellow it would take a lot of him to be remembered as
anything but a big pug-looking creature that I'd be ashamed to be seen
with."

This was not a propitious first impression, and as she was inclined to
be censorious I considered it diplomatic to point out his detractions,
knowing that the combative propensity of the young lady would then
seek for recommendations.

"Yes, he is a great, unattractive, red-headed-looking lump, isn't he?"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. He looks fine and healthy at all events, and
I do like to see a man that doesn't make one afraid he'll drop to
pieces if you look at him."

"But he's hopelessly red-headed," I opined.

"But it isn't that sandy, insipid sort of red. It's very dark and
thick, and his skin is clear and brown, not that mangy-looking sample
that usually goes with red hair," contended Dawn; and being willing
that she should retain this opinion, I let the point go.

There is one advantage in a heart trouble, that it often departs as
suddenly as it attacks, and ere it was again Ca