This idea having just seized her, she communicated it at once to Mattie, upon her re-appearance in the kitchen. "Mattie," said Ann, lugubriously, "I've been a good friend to you, all my life--ain't I?" "To be sure you have," was the quick answer. "When you came here first, a reg'lar young rip, I took to you, taught you what was tidiness, which you didn't know any more than the babe unborn, did you?" "Not much more--don't you feel so well to-night, Ann?" "Much wus--I'm only forty, and my legs oughtn't to go at that age." "No, and they won't." "_Won't_ they?" was the ironical answer; "but they will--but they has! Oh! Mattie gal, you'll come and see me at St. Tummas's?" "Ann Packet," said Mattie gravely, "this won't do. You're getting your old horrors again, and you're full of fancies, and your ankles are not half so bad as you think they are. I know what _you_ want." "What?" "A good shaking," laughed Mattie, "that's all." "Oh! you unnat'ral child!" "Well, the unnat'ral child will ask Mr. Wesden if she may keep out of the shop to-night, and bring a book down-stairs to read to you, over your needlework. But if you don't work I shan't read, Ann--is it a bargain?" "You're allus imperent; but get the book, if master'll let you. Oh! how _they_ do shoot!" Mattie obtained permission, brought down a book from the store, and sat down to read to honest Ann. She had made a good choice, and Ann was soon interested, forgot her ailments, and stitched away with excitable rapidity. Mattie had no time for thoughts of her own, or the new mystery above-stairs till the supper hour. She read on till the Hinchford bell rang once more; then she closed the book, and met with her reward in Ann's large red hand falling heavily, yet affectionately, on her shoulder. "Thankee, Mattie. I'll do as much for you some day, gal." "When you can spell, or when I've gouty ankles, Ann?" "Ah! get out with you!--I'm only fit for making game on, you think. I'm a poor woman, who never had the time to larn to read, and the likes of you can laugh at me." "No--only try to make you laugh, Ann. You're not cross?" "God bless you!--not I," she ejaculated spasmodically. "There, go about your work, and don't think anything of what an old fool like me talks about." Mattie busied herself with the supper tray, the bread, cheese, knives and plates, and then bore them away in her strong arms; Ann watched her out of the room, and then produced an indifferently clean cotton handkerchief, with which she wiped her eyes and blew her nose.