for the next day's breakfast. He,
however, could not resist eating some bread and cheese which Nancy
pressed on him before he went away.

I could scarcely close my eyes for thinking of what the morrow might
bring forth. About midnight Nancy came in and told me that Mary was
sleeping more calmly than she had done since she was taken ill. Hoping
that this was a good sign my mind became less disquieted, and I fell
asleep. The next morning the usual hour for the doctor's coming passed
and he did not appear. We waited and waited, anxious to know whether
Mary really was better. At last there came a knocking at the door, and
in walked the landlord, with a couple of men at his heels.

"Have you the rent ready, good people?" he asked, in a gruff tone.

"No, sir; but I have two shillings, and I promise to pay as much as I
can every day till you've got what you demand," I said, as fast as I
could speak.

The men laughed as I said this.

"Two shillings! That won't go no way, my lad," cried the landlord.
"Let me see, why this old pot and kettle and the cups and plates, and
table and chairs, and everything in this room won't sell for more than
half my demands, so we must have the bedsteads and bedding and a chest
of drawers or so; and as the old woman in there won't ever be able to
pay me more rent, she and all of you must turn out with what remains!
So now, Crouch and Scroggins, do your duty."

The moment he had entered the house Nancy, passing behind me, had locked
Mary's and Mrs Simmons's doors, and having put the keys in her pocket,
had slipped into the scullery or little back kitchen, where we often
cooked in summer. One of the men was in the act of placing one chair
upon another, and his companion was approaching Mary's room, when
suddenly Nancy rushed out of the back kitchen with a red-hot poker in
her hand, and placing herself before it, exclaimed--

"Step an inch nearer if ye dare, ye cowards! Out on ye, Mr Grimes, to
come and disturb a fever-sick girl and an old dying woman for the sake
of a few filthy shillings! Peter here has offered you some, and has
promised to pay you more when he can get them, and I promise too; and
now let me see if one of you dare to lay a finger on any of Missus
Simmons's things! Get out of this house! Get out of this house, I
say!"

And she began flourishing her poker and advancing towards the intruders
in a way which made them beat a rapid retreat towards the door, Mr
Grimes