"Alferd, your room bain't a boy's room, nor a dog's kennel, nor a pig's stye. 'Tis the habitation of a lunatic." Fancy smiled, because the mother must have spoken at the time, and again now, with such inimitable seriousness. After tea, Fancy was commanded to rest. But before doing so, she caught hold of her entertainer's hand, and said earnestly: "How good you are to me, Mother! How good and kind you always are to sick folk. Such a wondersome woman! I hope my lil' maid will grow up just like you." "If you talk such outrageous nonsense, I'll--I'll spank Lizzie. That'll larn 'ee." But Fancy refused to be gagged. She went on, in her soft, feeble tones, expatiating upon Mrs. Yellam's many virtues and excellencies. Time was when Susan would have listened to this praise with smug complacency. Fancy did but state the facts. And the mere recital of them exasperated the listener beyond endurance. Steel striking flint--and praise had become steel--provoked sparks. "I be real vexed wi' 'ee, Fancy." She bustled off with the tea-things, and remained absent so long that Fancy began to fear that she had really offended her. Solomon, however, reassured her on this point. They exchanged pleasant chat about Alfred. Fancy felt jealous because Solomon would know when Alfred was coming at least five minutes before she did. "You'll jump off the bed and bark." Solomon wagged his tail. "My! Won't he get wet if he comes to-night, Solly? Are you expecting him to-night, you wise little dog?" Solomon put a cold nose into her hand. Mrs. Yellam's step was heard on the stairs. Solomon retired to his end of the bed, well aware that prolonged talk had been forbidden after tea. Mrs. Yellam, seeing that Fancy was awake, said impressively: "We be an island at this minute." "Oh, dear!" Mrs. Yellam assured her that it had often happened before. The cottage itself stood high above the encroaching waters. At highest flood they were not more than two feet deep. "Alfred'll get so wet." "Ay. I never thought o' that. I think, Fancy, that you did ought to put this strange notion of Alferd's coming out of your dear lil' head. 'Tis most onlikely. I dunno' how such a queer idea got into it." "Because he promised me that he would come." "But, Lard bless 'ee, he meant so be as he got leave. If 'tis true that he be safe in France----" "I know he be safe."