136 The Little Minister

“ Thank you kindly, sirs,” she said; and then
two pairs of eyes dropped before hers.

“ Please to take a chair,’ she added, timidly.
It is strange to know that at that awful moment,
for let none tell me it was less than awful, the old
woman was the one who could speak.

Both men sat down, for they would have hurt
Nanny by remaining standing. Some ministers
would have known the right thing to say to her,
but Gavin dared not let himself speak. I have
again to remind you that he was only one and
twenty.

“I’m drouthy, Nanny,” the doctor said, to
give her something to do, “and I would be
obliged for a drink of water.”

Nanny hastened to the pan that stood behind
her door, but stopped before she reached it.

“It’s toom,” she said, “ [—JI didna think I
needed to fill it this morning.” She caught the
doctor’s eye, and could only half restrain a sob.
“T couldna help that,” she said, apologetically.
“ [’m richt angry at myself for being so ungrateful
like.”

The doctor thought it best that they should
depart at once. He rose.

“Oh, no, doctor,” cried Nanny, in alarm.

“* But you are ready?”

“ Ay,” she said, “I have been ready this twa
hours, but you micht wait a minute. Hendry
Munn and Andrew Allardyce is coming yont the
road, and they would see me.”

“Wait, doctor,” Gavin said.

“ Thank you kindly, sir,” answered Nanny.

* But, Nanny,” the doctor said, “ you must