“Hold to my gown, it is coarse, but the better to stay you with,” said the woman. “Do not look round, keep fast with the right hand to the ivy, and clutch me with your left. What a comical bringing together of them whom God has put asunder that would be if you and I were to be found in death grappled together in the quarry pond!” Slowly, cautiously, Arminell followed her guide and finally reached the firm bank. “Now then,” said Patience, “you can come and rest in my cottage. It is hard by. I’ll wipe a chair for you. As you wanted to see the owl’s nest, perhaps you mayn’t object to visit the house of the white witch.” Arminell hesitated. She was inclined to return home, but felt that it would seem ungracious to decline the offer of the woman who had assisted her out of her difficulties. “Look yonder,” mocked Patience, pointing to the water, “the captain is at his prayers again. I wonder, now, what he took that book to be you throwed at him, and your voice to be that called him? He’ll make a maze o’ queer fancies out of all, I reckon.” “Does Mr. Saltren often come here?” “When the shoe pinches.” “I do not understand you, Mrs. Kite.” “No, I’ll be bound you do not. How can you understand the pinching and pain o’ others, when you’ve never felt pinch or pain yourself? Such as lie a-bed in swans’ down wonder what keeps them awake that couches on nettles.” “But what has this to do with Captain Saltren and his prayers?” “Everything,” answered the woman; “you don’t ask for apples when your lap is full. Those that suffer and are in need open their mouths. But whether aught comes to them for opening their mouths is another matter. The cuckoo in my clock called, and as none answered, he gave it up—so did I.” There was a savagery in the woman’s tone that startled Arminell, and withal a strangeness in her manner that attracted her curiosity. “I will go with you to the cottage for a moment,” she said. “This is the way,” answered Patience, leading through the brake of fern under the oaks. Patience Kite was a tall woman, with black hair just turning grey, a wrinkled face, and a pointed chin. She had lost most of her teeth, and mouthed her words, but spoke distinctly. Her nose was like the beak of a hawk; her eyes were grey, and wild under heavy dark brows. When she spoke to Arminell she curtsied, and the curtsey of the gaunt creature was grotesque. The girl could not read whether it were intended as respectful, or done in mockery. Her dress was tidy, but of the poorest materials, much patched. She wore no cap; her abundant hair was heaped on her head, but was less tidy than her clothing; it was scattered about her face and shoulders.