When the Man was gone, she pressed the five Pounds on my _Mother_, with the humblest Expressions of Gratitude; but my _Mother_ would by no Means take it. At length it was decided to inclose three Pounds in a Packet to Dr. _Elwes_, not to be sent to him till _Gatty_ was gone; and the other two would pay her Journey, outside the Coach, to her native Place, so that my Lady _Betty's_ Bounty but just cleared Expenses. _Gatty_ was now in the gayest Spirits, and whereas she had hitherto seemed rather a quiet Girl, she was now talking incessantly. There was Something moving in witnessing the Joy she experienced in looking forward to seeing her Mother, and the Glee with which she spoke of her little Brothers and Sisters, the Dog, the Cat, the most trivial Thing connected with Home. For Instance, "_Pussy_," she would say, "you are handsomer than our old Tortoiseshell; and yet I would not exchange old _Tibby_ for you." "How glad _Towler_ will be to see me! I fancy him at the Gate, wagging his Tail. He is deaf, and has lost most of his Teeth, but I hope he is not so blind but what he will know me again." As her Luggage was but light, I made her find Room for a small but very rich Plum-Cake, a present from my _Mother_ to hers, and also some Gingerbread-Nuts for the Children. In the Afternoon, a Boatman stepped into the Shop with some Boat-Cloaks, saying that Mr. and Mrs. _Arbuthnot_ were coming up from the Water-Side to take Tea in our Gardens. I knew not the young Gentleman was married; and indeed he was not so, but his Companion proved to be his Aunt; the quietest, sweetest-looking old Lady I ever set Eyes on. The Sky having clouded over, we had little Company that Afternoon; I set their Table in our nicest Arbour, and had Pleasure in serving them myself, and providing them with the freshest _Shrewsbury_ Cakes and lightest Buns. They seemed on the pleasantest of Terms together; the young Man's Attention to the old _Lady_, without fulsomeness, was very agreeable to see; and their Conversation was somewhat above the common Run. Towards the Conclusion of their Repast, a Rain-Shower came on, which alarmed Mrs. _Arbuthnot_, and made her request Shelter in the House. I instantly shewed them into our Parlour; where _Gatty_, having finished her Packing, was embroidering an Apron which _Prue_ had commenced for my _Mother_, but had got tired of before it was half done. _Gatty_ was such a superior Needlewoman that her Work, besides being done so quickly, put _Prudence's_ quite to shame; the Leaves, Flowers, and Sprigs seemed to grow under her nimble Fingers. Old Mrs. _Arbuthnot_ watched her a little While, admiring her Facility; and then raising her Eyes from _Gatty's_ white Hands to her almost as white Face, "You look very delicate, young Woman," says she. "Oh, Ma'am, I'm a great deal better now; almost well," says _Gatty_, scarcely looking up. "Have you been very ill?" "Yes, Madam, I have had a Fever."