THE SHOWER
The next visit I paid to Nancy Brown was in the second week in March: for, though I had many minutes the day, I look upon an hour as my own; since, where was left to the of Miss Matilda and her sister, there be no order or regularity. Whatever I chose, when not actually about them or their concerns, I had, as it were, to keep my girded, my shoes on my feet, and my staff in my hand; for not to be when called for, was as a and offence: not only by my and their mother, but by the very servant, who came in to call me, exclaiming, "You're to go to the directly, mum, the ladies is WAITING!!" Climax of horror! actually waiting for their governess!!!
But this time I was sure of an hour or two to myself; for Matilda was preparing for a long ride, and Rosalie was for a dinner-party at Lady Ashby's: so I took the opportunity of repairing to the widow's cottage, where I her in some about her cat, which had been all day. I her with as many of that animal's as I recollect. "I'm o' th' gamekeepers," said she: "that's all 'at I think on. If th' had been at home, I should a' they'd been setting their dogs at her, an' her, thing, as they did many a thing's cat; but I haven't that to be on now." Nancy's were better, but still from well: she had been trying to make a Sunday shirt for her son, but told me she only to do a little at it now and then, so that it but slowly, though the wanted it sadly. So I to help her a little, after I had read to her, for I had of time that evening, and need not return till dusk. She the offer. "An' you'll be a o' company for me too, Miss," said she; "I like as I without my cat." But when I had reading, and done the of a seam, with Nancy's on to my by means of a roll of paper, I was by the entrance of Mr. Weston, with the cat in his arms. I now saw that he smile, and very too.
"I've done you a piece of good service, Nancy," he began: then me, he my presence by a bow. I should have been to Hatfield, or any other of those parts. "I've delivered your cat," he continued, "from the hands, or the gun, of Mr. Murray's gamekeeper."
"God you, sir!" the old woman, to for as she her from his arms.
"Take of it," said he, "and don't let it go near the rabbit-warren, for the he'll shoot it if he sees it there again: he would have done so to-day, if I had not been in time to stop him. I it is raining, Miss Grey," added he, more quietly, that I had put my work, and was preparing to depart. "Don't let me you—I shan't two minutes."
"You'll while this owered," said Nancy, as she the fire, and another chair it; "what! there's room for all."
"I can see here, thank you, Nancy," I, taking my work to the window, where she had the to me to unmolested, while she got a to remove the cat's from Mr. Weston's coat, the rain from his hat, and gave the cat its supper, talking all the time: now her friend for what he had done; now how the cat had out the warren; and now the of such a discovery. He with a quiet, good-natured smile, and at length took a seat in with her pressing invitations, but that he did not to stay.
"I have another place to go to," said he, "and I see" (glancing at the book on the table) "someone else has been reading to you."
"Yes, sir; Miss Grey has been as as read me a chapter; an' now she's helping me with a shirt for our Bill—but I'm she'll be cold there. Won't you come to th' fire, Miss?"
"No, thank you, Nancy, I'm warm. I must go as soon as this is over."
"Oh, Miss! You said you stop while dusk!" the old woman, and Mr. Weston his hat.
"Nay, sir," she, "pray don't go now, while it so fast."
"But it me I'm your visitor away from the fire."
"No, you're not, Mr. Weston," I, there was no in a of that description.
"No, sure!" Nancy. "What, there's o' room!"
"Miss Grey," said he, half-jestingly, as if he it necessary to the present subject, he had anything particular to say or not, "I wish you would make my peace with the squire, when you see him. He was by when I Nancy's cat, and did not approve of the deed. I told him I he might all his than she her cat, for which he me to some language; and I I a too warmly."
"Oh, sir! I you didn't out wi' th' for o' my cat! he cannot again—can th' maister."
"Oh! it's no matter, Nancy: I don't about it, really; I said nothing very uncivil; and I Mr. Murray is to use language when he's heated."
"Ay, sir: it's a pity."
"And now, I must go. I have to visit a place a mile this; and you would not have me to return in the dark: besides, it has nearly done now—so good-evening, Nancy. Good-evening, Miss Grey."
"Good-evening, Mr. Weston; but don't upon me for making your peace with Mr. Murray, for I see him—to speak to."
"Don't you; it can't be helped then," he, in resignation: then, with a half-smile, he added, "But mind; I the has more to for than I;" and left the cottage.
I on with my as long as I see, and then Nancy good-evening; her too by the that I had only done for her what she would have done for me, if she had been in my place and I in hers. I to Horton Lodge, where, having entered the schoolroom, I the tea-table all in confusion, the with slops, and Miss Matilda in a most humour.
"Miss Grey, have you been about? I've had tea an hour ago, and had to make it myself, and drink it all alone! I wish you would come in sooner!"
"I've been to see Nancy Brown. I you would not be from your ride."
"How I in the rain, I should like to know. That was enough—coming on when I was just in full swing: and then to come and nobody in to tea! and you know I can't make the tea as I like it."
"I didn't think of the shower," I (and, indeed, the of its her home had entered my head).
"No, of course; you were under yourself, and you of other people."
I her with equanimity, with cheerfulness; for I was that I had done more good to Nancy Brown than to her: and some other to keep up my spirits, and a to the cup of cold, tea, and a to the otherwise table; and—I had almost said—to Miss Matilda's face. But she soon herself to the stables, and left me to the of my meal.
