‘Well, Willie, my dear, you’re more to me than the old sword. But I wouldn’t have had it handled with disrespect for all that the place is worth. However, I don’t suppose they can--. What made them do it, child? They’ve not taken it down from the wall?’ ‘Yes, grannie. I think it was because I was staring at it too much, grannie. Perhaps they were afraid I would take it down and hurt myself with it. But I was only going to ask you about it. Tell me a story about it, grannie.’ All my notion was some story, I did not think whether true or false, like one of Nannie’s stories. ‘That I will, my child--all about it--all about it. Let me see.’ Her eyes went wandering a little, and she looked perplexed. ‘And they took it from you, did they? Poor child! Poor child!’ ‘They didn’t take it from me, grannie. I never had it in my hands.’ ‘Wouldn’t give it you then? Oh dear! Oh dear!’ I began to feel uncomfortable--grannie looked so strange and lost. The old feeling that she ought to be buried because she was dead returned upon me; but I overcame it so far as to be able to say: ‘Won’t you tell me about it then, grannie? I want so much to hear about the battle.’ ‘What battle, child? Oh yes! I’ll tell you all about it some day, but I’ve forgot now, I’ve forgot it all now.’ She pressed her hand to her forehead, and sat thus for some time, while I grew very frightened. I would gladly have left the room and crept down-stairs, but I stood fascinated, gazing at the withered face half-hidden by the withered hand. I longed to be anywhere else, but my will had deserted me, and there I must remain. At length grannie took her hand from her eyes, and seeing me, started. ‘Ah, my dear!’ she said,’ I had forgotten you. You wanted me to do something for you: what was it?’ ‘I wanted you to tell me about the sword, grannie.’ ‘Oh yes, the sword!’ she returned, putting her hand again to her forehead. ‘They took it away from you, did they? Well, never mind. I will give you something else--though I don’t say it’s as good as the sword.’ She rose, and taking an ivory-headed stick which leaned against the side of the chimney-piece, walked with tottering steps towards the bureau. There she took from her pocket a small bunch of keys, and having, with some difficulty from the trembling of her hands, chosen one and unlocked the sloping cover, she opened a little drawer inside, and took out a gold watch with a bunch of seals hanging from it. Never shall I forget the thrill that went through my frame. Did she mean to let me hold it in my own hand? Might I have it as often as I came to see her? Imagine my ecstasy when she put it carefully in the two hands I held up to receive it, and said: