"You have put the case in a new light, certainly, aunt," she said, "one that I confess I never glanced at. I do not believe Aaron has any wish to leave me, any thought of it; or Dorothy either: all the same, it is a point that must be inquired into." Ella lost no time. That same day, upon Aaron's coming into the room where she sat alone, she bade him wait--she had something to say to him. Very considerately she spoke: nevertheless, it seemed to strike the old man dumb. His hands shook. His lips quavered. "You don't want to get rid of me sure-ly, Miss Ella!" he cried when she had finished. "It can't be. I know I'm old; and old folks be not counted of much use, nowadays; but--but the Squire would never have driven me away from the old home. I'll go to the workhouse to-morrow, if you wish it, ma'am--and no place else will I go to if I leave here--and I'll never come out of it again. No, never, till they bring me out feet foremost." Ella felt quite sorry for him; sorry for having spoken. She began to speak of what she had meant to do, but he interrupted her: "I'll be nobody's pensioner; not even yours, Miss Winter. Many a time I've told the Squire I'd not be his. While I'm able to work I will work; and I mean to work on for you, ma'am, my strength permitting it. Time enough for me to leave you when that's gone--but I hope it's my life that will go first. I was faithful to my master, Miss Ella, and I'll be faithful to my mistress." Ella held out her hand to him. "Do you suppose I do not know that you are, my good old Aaron! But you should not talk of the workhouse. The Squire left you an annuity; he left you also some money. I shall add to it----" "No, ma'am. Do you suppose I wanted the bit o' money his will gave to me? Not I. I have settled it on the boy--Hubert--every penny of it: as well as the few pounds I and my wife have saved. As to the annuity, I won't touch it." Ella smiled, and did not contradict him. And so the question of the old servant's going was set at rest. But Aaron was not himself for days afterwards.