a doctor," sayth she, with an unpleasant leer, "that hath
given that at first. In time he gets his hand in; and I've had a plenty
o' practice--thanks to self and sister."

"I knew not," quoth I, "that thou hadst a sister."

"How should ye, mistress," returns she, shortlie, "when ye never comes
nigh us? We've grubbed on together this many a year."

"'Tis soe far," I returned, half ashamed.

"Why, soe it be," answers Gammer; "far from neighbours, far from church,
and far from priest; howbeit, my old legs carries me to _your_ house o'
Fridays; but I know not whether I shall e'er come agayn--the rye bread
was soe hard last time; it may serve for young teeth, and for them as
has got none; but mine, you see, are onlie on the _goe_;" and she opened
her mouth with a ghastly smile. "'Tis not," she added, "that I'm
ungratefulle; but thou sees, mistress, I really _can't_ eat crusts."

After a moment, I asked, "Where lies your dwelling?"

"Out by yonder," quoth she, pointing to a shapeless mass like a huge
bird's nest in y'e corner of the field. "There bides poor Joan and I.
Wilt come and looke within, mistress, and see how a Christian can die?"

I mutelie complyed, in spite of Cecy's pulling at my skirts. Arrived at
y'e wretched abode, which had a hole for its chimney, and another for
door at once and window, I found, sitting in a corner, propped on a heap
of rushes, dried leaves, and olde rags, an aged sick woman, who seemed
to have but a little while to live. A mug of water stoode within her
reach; I saw none other sustenance; but, in her visage, oh, such
peace!... Whispers Gammer with an awfulle look, "She sees 'em now!"

"Sees who?" quoth I.

"Why, angels in two long rows, afore y'e throne of God, a bending of
themselves, this way, with theire faces to th' earth, and arms stretched
out afore 'em."

"Hath she seen a priest?" quoth I.

"Lord love ye," returns Gammer, "what coulde a priest doe for her? She's
is in heaven alreadie. I doubte if she can heare me." And then, in a
loud, distinct voyce, quite free from her usuall mumping, she beganne to
recite in _English_, "Blessed is every one that feareth y'e Lord, and
walketh in his ways," etc.; which y'e dying woman hearde, although
alreadie speechlesse; and reaching out her feeble arm unto her sister's
neck, she dragged it down till their faces touched; and then, looking
up, pointed at somewhat she aimed to make her see ... and we alle looked
up, but saw noughte. Howb