and let me do this, Mr.
Landholm; it is _my right_; and I need not ask you, keep my
knowledge of it secret from everybody. I am sure you must see
that what I ask is my right.

"Elizabeth Haye."

Winthrop had hardly more than time to read this when Clam put
herself within his door again, shutting it at her back.

"If the Governor'll let me," she said, "I'll come and take
care of her; -- or I'll run up and down stairs, from the bottom
to the top, -- whichever's useful."

"It is very kind of you, Clam. Winnie and I thank you very
much. But your mistress will want you."

"She won't. She'll want me here. Let me come, Governor. I
shan't do nothin' for Miss 'Lizabeth if I stay with her."

"Go and do all she wants you to do. No, I can't let you come.
My sister is taken care of."

"She'd be that where you are," muttered Clam as she went out
and went down the stairs, -- "and so would anybody else. I wish
some of the rest of us had a chance. Well -- maybe we'll get it
yet! --"

She found Elizabeth at her desk where she had left her,
waiting.

"Did you find him?"

"Yes, miss."

"And you gave him the note?"

"No, miss -- I mean, yes, miss."

"Don't say 'miss' in that kind of way. Put a name to it."

"What name?" said Clam.

"Any one you like. Did you see anybody else?"

"I see the brother and the sister," said Clam. "The brother
was never lookin' better, and the sister was never lookin'
worse; -- she ain't lookin' bad, neither."

"Is she ill?"

"She's lyin' abed, and so far from bein' well that she'll
never be well again."

"She hasn't been well this great while, Clam; _that's_ nothing
new."

"_This_ is," said Clam.

"Does her brother think she is very ill?"

"He knows more about it than I do," said Clam. "I said I would
go to take care of her, and he said I wouldn't, for you'd be a
wantin' me."

"I don't want you at all!" said Elizabeth, -- "if you could be
of any use. Are you quiet and careful enough for a nurse?"

"Firstrate!" -- said Clam; -- "no, I guess I'm not ezackly,
here; but I were, up to Wutsey-Qutsey."

"Up where?" said Elizabeth.

"Yes, miss."

"I told you not to speak to me so."

Clam stood and gave no sign.

"Do you think you could be of any use up there, Clam?"

"Mr. Winthrop says everybody can be of use."

"Then go and try; I don't want you; and stay as long as they
would like to have you."

"When will I go, Mis' Landholm?"

"What?"

"I asked Mis' Landholm, whe