100 Turnaside Cottage.

the strings were the best part; they were really
quite business-like. Luckily poor old Nance’s
sight was no longer good, and she took the cap,
and put it on with much satisfaction.

“Well,” she said, “I have had no end of trouble
in bringing of you up, but my care has come to
some good at last. I knowed it would, and there’s
pains I’ve took with you, to be sure.” And that
was the thanks I got. ‘

The parson came, and read and talked and
prayed. I was much impressed, and I think that
in her way Nance was too. She looked forward
with pleasure to his next visit, and I think was
quicter and gentler, though her talk was still only
of every-day things. Twice he came again; and
then one morning early she called me, as she had
done once or twice before, to come and get her a
cup of tea. Her voice sounded feeble, and I made
haste to warm the drop of tea that I had put by in
readiness; but as I raised her up to drink it, her
head fell back on the pillow, and she was gone
without a word. Something in her appearance
alarmed me, and I ran to the stairs and called my
father. He sent me to fetch Sally; and she, and
two or three women with her, came and stayed all
day, eating often, and talking agreat deal. Icould
hear their voices as I wandered to and fro in the