LTector Hints at a Discovery. 147

 

when I was a boy, and stung myself with a nettle,
I never had far to look for a dock-stalk with its
juice. Who knows but the Prior’s Well may be
the cure forme? It can’t straighten my back, I
know, but it may make me stronger for all that,
and fitter for the general business.”

“T will lay down a pipe for you, if you like,
Hector, and then you can drink as much of the
water as you please, without asking anybody,” ©
said Willie.

Hector laughed.

“Tt’s not such a sure thing,” he replied, “as to
be worth that trouble; and besides, the walk does
me good, and a drink once or twice a day is enough
—that is, if your people won’t think me a trouble,
coming so often.”

“ There’s no fear of that,” said Willie; “it’s our
business, you know, to try to cure people. I'll
tell you what—couldn’t you bring up a bit of your
work, and sit in my room sometimes? It’s better
air there than down here.”

“You’re very kind, indeed, Willie. We'll see.
Meantime, I’ll come up morning and evening, and
have a drink of the water, as long at least as the
warm weather lasts, and by that time I shall be
pretty certain whether it is doing me good or
not.”

So Hector went on drinking the water and
getting a little better.