Dan, who had not once looked up since Miss Mervyn's appearance, now seemed suddenly startled out of his shyness. He raised a face so glowing with pleasure and affection at the mention of Dennis's name, that he was almost like another boy. "Well, we are, miss," he said earnestly, "just about--Becky, and me, and mother too," he added, as an after-thought. "We'd do anything for Master Dennis. And I'm pleased to hear, miss, as how you're his cousin, because p'r'aps you'll tell him so." His dark eyes brightened as he spoke, and his cheeks flushed. Philippa, surprised at the sudden change, stood looking at him silently for a minute. How fond every one is of Dennis! she thought. "I'll tell him what you say when I see him again," she said; "and you must remember to tell your sister that I'm coming to see her, and bring her some nourishing things." "Thank you, miss," said Dan, dropping into his old shy manner again, as he touched his cap and bent over his weeding. He did not seem overcome with pleasure at the idea of Philippa's visit, and she felt a little disappointed, but she had been interested in his talk; and as she went back to the house with Miss Mervyn, her mind was so full of it, that she felt obliged to tell her all about Tuvvy and Dennis, and her own plans for Becky's benefit. Miss Mervyn listened attentively, and though she was not equal to Maisie and Dennis as a companion, Philippa was surprised to find how well she entered into the matter, and what good suggestions she could make. During tea-time, which passed much more pleasantly than usual, she found a great many questions to ask. "Why do you suppose Dan looked so very pleased when I talked about Dennis?" she inquired. "I suppose because he is a grateful little boy," answered Miss Mervyn. "Do people aways look like that when they are grateful?" said Philippa. "Will his sister look like that when I take her the nourishing things?" "Perhaps she will," said Miss Mervyn; "but, my dear Philippa, it is not only giving people things that makes them grateful." "What does, then?" asked Philippa, with a stare of surprise. "Well, I think kindness and love make people more grateful than rich gifts. Your cousin Dennis liked Tuvvy, and took a great deal of trouble for him. That was better than giving him a great deal of money." Philippa thought this over a little. "But," she said at length, "I can't possibly like Dan's sister Becky yet, you know, because I've never seen her." "Meanwhile, then," said Miss Mervyn, "you can try to be grateful to all the people you have seen and love, and who do so much for you every day. Perhaps if you see Becky, you will like her too, and then you will be so glad to make her happy, that you will not stop to think whether she is grateful or not." "What should you think," pursued Philippa, "are the most nourishing things of all?" Miss Mervyn bent her mind anxiously on the subject, and finally decided in favour of milk, eggs, and beef-tea.