--and
I've to quit."

Robinette tried to be a peacemaker.

"Then you'll get a much more comfortable house, that's quite certain.
You know, though this one is lovely on fine days like this, that the
thatch is all coming off, and I'm sure it's damp inside! Just wait a
bit, and see if you don't get some nice cosy little place, with a
sound roof and quite dry, that will cure this rheumatism of yours."

But Mrs. Prettyman shook her head.

"No, no, there won't be no cosy place given to me; I'm no more worth
than an old shoe now, Missie, and I'm to be turned out, the lady said
so 'erself; said as I must go to Exeter to live with me niece Nettie,
and 'er don't want us--Nettie don't--and whatever shall I do without I
'ave Duckie and the plum tree?"

"Oh, but"--Robinette began, quite incredulously, and the old woman
took up her lament again.

"And I asked the lady, wouldn't I 'ave something allowed me for the
plum tree--that 'ave about clothed me for years back? And 'No,' she
says, ''t ain't your plum tree, Elizabeth, 't is mine; I can't 'low
nothing on me own plum tree.'"

Robinette still refused to believe the story.

"Nurse, dear," she said, "you're a tiny bit deaf now, you know, and
perhaps you misunderstood about leaving. Suppose you keep your dear
old heart easy for to-night, and I'll come down bright and early
to-morrow and tell you what it really is! If you have to leave the
plum tree you'll get a fine price put on it that may last you for
years; it's such a splendid tree, anyone can see it's worth a good
deal."

"That it be, Missie, the finest tree in Wittisham," the old woman
said, drying her eyes, a little comforted by the assurance in
Robinette's voice and manner.

"There now, we won't have any more tears: I've brought a new canister
of tea I sent for to London. I'm just dying to taste if it's good;
we'll brew it together, Nursie; I shall carry out the little table
from the kitchen and we'll drink our tea under the plum tree,"
Robinette cried.

She was carrying a great parcel under her arm, and when Mrs. Prettyman
opened it, she could scarcely believe that this lovely red tin
canister, filled with pounds of fragrant tea, could really be hers!
The sight of such riches almost drove away her former fears. Robinette
whisked into the kitchen and came out carrying the little round table
which she set down under the white canopy of the plum tree. Then
together they brought out the rest of the tea things, and