"Well, p'r'aps not so much as him as was here afore you did. He neglecket me shameful. But you've got tired of me, and you want to see me put under ground." "What makes you say that?" said Oldroyd, laughing. "'Cause you want me to take that physic as isn't proper for me." "Why you comical, prejudiced old woman," he said, "it is the best thing I can give you." "Oh, no, it isn't. I know better," cried the old lady. "Don't tell me. I may be ninety, but I a'n't lived to ninety without knowing as one physic a'n't good for everything." "Oh, that's it, is it?" cried Oldroyd, laughing. "You think I haven't got the right stuff for you." "Ah, it's nothing to laugh at, young man. I'm not a fool. How could you know what was the matter with me before you come, and so bring the stuff? I a'n't a cow, as only wants one kind of physic all its life." "Nay, I did know what was the matter with you," cried Oldroyd, taking the poor, prejudiced old things hand, to speak kindly and seriously though with a little politic flattery. "The boy came to me and said you were ill, and I immediately, knowing you as I do, said to myself--now with such a constitution as Mrs Wattley has, there can only be one of two things the matter with her; someone has carelessly left a door or window open, and given her cold; or else she has got a touch of rheumatism." "And so you brought physic for a cold," said the old woman sharply. "No. I knew you would be too careful to let anyone neglect your doors and windows." "That I would," cried the old lady. "I fetched that Judy back with a flea in her ear only the day afore yesterday. I shouted till she came back and shut my door after her--a slut. She thinks of nothing but young men." "You see I was right," continued Oldroyd. "I felt sure it was not cold, and, on looking out, saw that the wind had got round to the east, so I mixed up his prescription, the best thing there is for rheumatism, and came on at once." "Is it as good as the iles, young man?" "Far better; and I'm sure you will find relief." "Well, you are right about the wind, for I felt it in my bones as soon as it got round; so, p'r'aps you're right about the physic. I dunno, though, you're only a boy, and not likely to know much. It's a pity they send such young fellows as you to take charge of a parish. But the guardians don't care a bit. They'd like to see all the old uns go under, the sooner the better. Not as I'm beholden to 'em for aught but a drop o' physic. I can do without 'em, I daresay, for a good many years yet." "To be sure you can," said Oldroyd, smiling rather gravely, as he looked at the ancient face before him. "Ay, I can do without 'em; and now, look here, young man, you set me right again. I've got four shillings put aside, and I'll give you that." "I daresay I can set you right again without the four shillings," said Oldroyd, "but not if you begin by calling me a boy."