Page 390 (1/2)

"Why then--sit down and be sociable, John," answered Natty Bell,

drawing another chair to the fire and beginning to fill his pipe

"Right, Natty Bell," nodded John, seating himself on the other side

of Barnabas, "fire away and tell our lad 'oe came to know her,

Natty Bell"

"Why, then, Barnabas," Natty Bell began, as soon as his pipe was in

full blast, "when you was so ill, d' ye see, John and me used to

drive over frequent to see how you was, d' ye see But you, being so

ill, eren't allowed to go up and see you, so she used to coentle she

was--eh, el weren't sweeter!

Gentle? Ah, Natty Bell, I should say so--and that thoughtful of

us--well, there y' are!"

"But one day, Barnabas," Natty Bell continued, "arter we'd called a

good many times, she did take us up to see you,--didn't she, John?"

"Ah, that she did, Natty Bell, God bless her!"

"And you was a-lying there with shut eyes--very pale and still,

Barnabas But all at once you opened your eyes and--being out o'

yourus--delirious, d' ye see, Barnabas, you