ve some conversation with Mr.
Wilson?"

The alteration in her tone of voice to me was immediately perceived by
Virginia.

"You are a dear good Tom," said she, kissing me, as soon as my mother
had left the house.

As soon as I had left Virginia at school, I went to call upon old Nanny,
whom I found quite brisk and lively, sorting old keys and rusty hinges.

"Well, Jack," said she, "so you are come at last! I thought you would
have been here yesterday, but nobody cares about an old woman like me. I
heard all about you, and how you took the privateer, and how the Company
have given you a hundred pounds; and when I heard that I said, Jack
(Poor Jack that was, who came begging to old Nanny to lend him money)
will not come to see me, he'll be too proud. Besides,' I said, 'his
family is getting up in the world: there's a baronet and his lady who
have taken them under their protection, and there's lawyer Wilson calls
at the house. Oh, dear me! it's the way of us all.'"

"And so you said all that to yourself, did you?" replied I.

"Yes, and a great deal more, too."

"Then, mother, you did me injustice. I could not well come before; I had
to see my father and mother and my sister, and I had business to
transact."

"Mercy on us! business to transact! Poor Jack had business to transact!
Here's a change from the time that his whole business was to touch his
hat for coppers and dip his head in the mud for a penny."

"Nevertheless, what I say is true, and you are very unjust to accuse me
as you have done. I have always thought of you, and have now with me
several things that I have collected for you."

"Yes, you promised me. Jack, you do keep your promises; I will say that
for you. Well, what have you got?"

I opened my handkerchief and pulled out several little articles, such as
fine worked baskets, shells, etc., and, among the rest, a pound of tea
in a leaden canister.

"There, mother, I have brought you them as a present, and I hope you
will take them."

Old Nanny turned them over one by one, rather contemptuously, as I
thought, until she came to the tea. "That may do," said she. "Why, Jack,
those are all very pretty things, but they are too pretty for my shop.
Why didn't you bring me some empty ginger beer bottles? I could have
sold them this very morning."

"Why, mother, I really did not like to ask for such things."

"No, there it is; you've grown so fine all of a sudden. These are no
use, for nobody will com