96 DIGGING A GRAVE

and, if possible, her husband was more lov-
ing and attentive to | her than ever, and she
sent for her ould nurse ; and the master,
God bless him, is always the same; but ait
that time she had taken a turn against me,
just the way her father did. Sometimes she’d—
want me every hour in the day, at others
she’d be a week without asking for me, except
for the clear-starching. She’s a rich lady,
and I’m a poor, hard workin’, lone woman,
without chick or child, and hardly as much
in my ould stocking as will carry me out.
and bury me dacent,— for I could not rest easy
in my grave, if the parish had foot or spade
‘in it,— and yet, I would not change with
her this blessed moment. God be thanked,
night or day, ’m mistress of myself; and
even if the body is in rags, as long as the |
mind is pure and the head clear, it is the
temple of the living God; He made it, and
breathed, ‘His spirit into it—His name be

praised. oe