"You don't look very cheerful yourself," Gavin said sadly. "Nonsense," answered the doctor. "I have no patience with this false sentiment. Stand still, Lightning, and be thankful you are not your master today." The door stood open, and Nanny was crouching against the opposite wall of the room, such a poor, dull kitchen, that you would have thought the furniture had still to be brought into it. The blanket and the piece of old carpet that was Nanny's coverlet were already packed in her box. The plate rack was empty. Only the round table and the two chairs, and the stools and some pans were being left behind. "Well, Nanny," the doctor said, trying to bluster, "I have come, and you see Mr. Dishart is with me." Nanny rose bravely. She knew the doctor was good to her, and she wanted to thank him. I have not seen a great deal of the world myself, but often the sweet politeness of the aged poor has struck me as beautiful. Nanny dropped a curtesy, an ungainly one maybe, but it was an old woman giving the best she had. "Thank you kindly, sirs," she said; and then two pairs of eyes dropped before hers. "Please to take a chair," she added timidly. It is strange to know that at that awful moment, for let none tell me it was less than awful, the old woman was the one who could speak. Both men sat down, for they would have hurt Nanny by remaining standing. Some ministers would have known the right thing to say to her, but Gavin dared not let himself speak. I have again to remind you that he was only one-and-twenty. "I'm drouthy, Nanny," the doctor said, to give her something to do, "and I would be obliged for a drink of water." Nanny hastened to the pan that stood behind her door, but stopped before she reached it. "It's toom," she said. "I--I didna think I needed to fill it this morning." She caught the doctor's eye, and could only half restrain a sob._ "I couldna help that," she said, apologetically. "I'm richt angry at myself for being so ungrateful like." The doctor thought it best that they should depart at once. He rose. "Oh, no, doctor," cried Nanny in alarm. "But you are ready?" "Ay," she said, "I have been ready this twa hours, but you micht wait a minute. Hendry Munn and Andrew Allardyce is coming yont the road, and they would see me." "Wait, doctor," Gavin said. "Thank you kindly, sir," answered Nanny. "But Nanny," the doctor said, "you must remember what I told you about the poo--, about the place you are going to. It is a fine house, and you will be very happy in it." "Ay, I'll be happy in't," Nanny faltered, "but, doctor, if I could just hae bidden on here though I wasna happy!" "Think of the food you will get: broth nearly every day." "It--it'll be terrible enjoyable," Nanny said. "And there will be pleasant company for you always," continued the doctor, "and a nice room to sit in. Why, after you have been there a week, you won't be the same woman."