ighteen this summer.'

'I should not have thought you so old.'

'Aye, aye, you judge like the rest, because my carcase is not as big as
Lumping Dick's the butcher boy's, and because you have known me as a
child when you were a grown woman, you think I am to remain a child
always.' And he petulantly shook back the masses of long dark hair that
shadowed his wild but handsome countenance.

At this moment Johnson entered the room. His step was feeble and slow,
but his countenance no longer bore the look of deep dejection that had
in the morning characterized it. His eye brightened still more when he
saw Mary.

'Now God bless you, Miss Waters, for thinking of my poor lambs,' said
he. 'I scarcely dared to hope for them. I have brought food for
them--see!' he added. 'I little dreamed anyone would have been here
before me.'

'Sit down,' said Mary, rising; 'you are fatigued and weak. I must go
now, as my grandfather will need me, but we will send you something to
make your house more comfortable.'

'I shall not require it, Miss Mary: I have nearly five pounds here.'

'Why, how is that?'

'It was handed me this morning by a strange footman in Elverton, after
the door was shut in my face of the only man I ever tamed my spirit to
ask aid from: yes, the cowardly hypocrite that dared not deny me to my
face, sent his lacquey to tell me he was unwell, and could not be
disturbed by beggars. May the curse--'

'Stay!' said Mary, 'curse him not, leave his punishment to his Maker;
but did not the agent take the five pounds for the rent?'

'No; he said there was a warrant and costs of suit that made it fourteen
pounds more, and was going to send the bailiffs to turn me out this very
evening; but a strange old seaman came forward and paid the amount. I
should have been here sooner, but I went round to the village shop to
buy food for the little ones.'

'You must allow me to have my way, Johnson,' said Mary. 'Sit down now
and eat; then rest. You will need the little money you have, and more
too, to recruit your health, for you must not dream of working again
until you are strong. I will send what is necessary, and some one to
mind the children; Edward, will you walk home with me?' and before the
man could reply, not giving him time to utter a word of thanks, she took
the arm of the youth and quitted the cottage. The man knelt down on the
floor, and famishing as he was, prayed for a blessing on her head ere he
touched the food tha