"There's naught to be ashamed of in being a boy," cried the old woman sharply. "I wish I was a gal now, and could begin all over again." "No, there's nothing to be ashamed of, old lady, but you must trust me, and take my medicine." "I won't--I won't swallow a drop, if you don't take your oath it's quite right, and will do me good, and won't pyson me." For answer Oldroyd rose from his seat, and took a cup from a shelf, into which he poured a portion of the medicine. "There, it's no use, young man, I won't take a dose." "Look here," cried Oldroyd; and putting the cup to his lips, he swallowed all that was at the bottom. "You're going to spit it out again as soon as you get outside." "Nonsense!" cried Oldroyd, laughing heartily as he poured out a fresh portion. "There, there, take it, and get well again." "You're sure it's right, and that it won't hurt me?" "I'm sure it will comfort you, and correct what is wrong." She watched him with her bright old eyes full of suspicion, and ended by taking the cup very doubtfully and swallowing its contents with a childlike shudder. "There, give me a bit of sugar out of that basin, young man," she cried emphatically; and, upon her desire being gratified, she settled herself down again in bed with a satisfied sigh. "Ah, I feel better now," she said. "I suppose you are not quite so young as you look, are you?" "Really, Mrs Wattley, I don't know," replied Oldroyd, smiling. "Perhaps you ar'n't," she continued looking at him critically. "I daresay you're clever enough, or else you wouldn't be here; but we ladies don't like to have a single man to see us when we are ill. You ought to be married, you know." "Do you think so?" said Oldroyd, looking rather conscious, as he thought of his prospects, matrimonially and financially. "Yes, I do think so," said the old lady tartly, and in a very dictatorial manner. "Look here, young man, there's little Miss Lucy, who comes to see me now and then. Marry her, and if you behave yourself, perhaps I'll leave you my cottage and ground. I sha'n't leave 'em to Judy, for she don't deserve 'em a bit." "Leave them to your relatives, old lady; and suppose we turn back to the rheumatism," said Oldroyd, half-amused and half-annoyed by his patient's remarks. "Ay, we'll talk about that by-and-by. I want to talk about you. My rheumatics is better a'ready--that's done me a mint o' good, young man, and I shouldn't mind seeing you married, for it would be a deal better for you, and I daresay I should call you in a bit more oftener. What, are you going?" "Yes; I have the pony waiting, and I must get back."