"Ay, I see, my dear, I see! Don't you try to speak. I can guess what you are, and whence you come. I heard tell what had happened. Don't you stir, now, but just drink a drop of this warm mallow tea--the finest thing going for one in your condition. I can't give you raiment, for I've none for myself, but we'll see to-morrow if I can't get hold o' somewhat: you've not been used to wear rags. I'll have 'em, if I steal 'em. Now, don't look at me so reproachful-like! well, then, I'll beg 'em, if it worries you. Oh, you're safe here, my dear! you've no need to look round to see if no villains is a-coming after you. They'll not turn up in these quarters, take my word for it. Not one o' them would come near the witch's hut after nightfall. But I'm no witch, my dearie--only a poor old woman as God and the blessed saints have quite forgot, and folks are feared of me." "The Lord never forgets," the parched lips tried to say. "Don't He? Hasn't He forgot both you and me, now?" "No--never!" "Well, well, my dear! Lie still, and you shall tell me any thing you will presently. Have another sup!--just one at once, and often--you'll soon come round. I know some'at about herbs and such-like, if I know nought else. See, let me lay this bundle of straw under your head; isn't that more comfortable, now? Poor thing, now what are you a-crying for?--does your face pain you bad? I'll lay some herbs to it, and you won't have so much as a scar there when they've done their work. Ay, I know some'at about herbs, I do! Deary me, for sure!--poor thing, poor thing!" "The Lord bless you!" "Child, you're the first that has blessed me these forty years! and I never hear _that_ name. Folks take me for one of Sathanas' servants, and they never speak to me of--that Other. I reckon they fancy I should mount the broomstick and fly through the chimney, if they did. Eh me!-- and time was I was a comely young maid--as young and well-favoured as you, my dear: eh dear, dear, to think how long it is since! I would I could pull you a bit nearer the fire; but I've spent all my strength-- and that's nought much--in hauling of you in. But you're safe, at any rate; and I'll cover you up with straw--I've got plenty of that, if I have not much else. Them villains, to use a young maid so!--or a wife, whichever you be. And they say I'm in league with the Devil! I never got so near him as they be." "I am a maid." "Well, and that's the best thing you can be. Don't you be in a hurry to change it. Come, now, I'll set on that sup o' broth was given me at the green house; you'll be ready to drink it by it's hot. Well, now, it's like old times and pleasant, having a bit o' company to speak to beside Gib here. What's your name, now, I wonder?" "Ermine."