Ye  see  I'se  oilers  used  to  the  old  fire-place,  and  it
stands  me  in  stead  like  a  true  friend,  though  it  does
smoke  a  leetle  on  times,  —  a  very  leetle,"  she  added,  as
if  fearful  of  scandalizing  her  Penates.  "And  then  it's  so
asy  jist  to  clap  on  yer  tea-kittle,  and  so  pleasant-like  to
hear  it  sing.  Dark  days,  I  oilers  put  mine  on  arly,  it's
so  cheersome-like  when  ye're  a  little  dull  to  take  an  arly


66  MARION  GRAHAM:

cup  o'  tea.  And  it  oilers  makes  me  feel  live-er  and
strong-like.  And  my  old  Brindy  here,"  she  added
laughing,  while  she  cast  a  look  of  undisguised  fondness
towards  the  poor  quadruped,  "  Brindy  likes  her  supper
arly  as  well  as  me."

"  Elsie  has  certainly  a  trap  to  catch  sunbeams,"  said
Bessie  to  herself,  "  aye,  and  she  has  caught  her  trap  full
too,  and  her  dark,  cobweb-covered,  mouldering  room
seems  almost  radiant  with  their  light."

Then  turning  to  Elsie,  —

"  Is  there  nothing  you  want  ?  "

"  Thanks  to  ye,  no  indeed,  Miss,  nothin'  but  a  thank-
ful, lovin'  heart  I've  more  than  enough  for  me  and
Brindy.  In  the  mornin',  I  takes  a  cup  o'  tea,  and  a
piece  o'  bread  and  cheese ;  and  in  the  arternoon,  as  now,
I  takes  another  cup  o'  tea  and  a  piece  o'  cheese  and
bread,  which  is  every  grain  as  good,"  said  she  laughing ;
"  and  'tweens  I  most  oilers  have  meat,  or  somethin'
strong-like  from  the  neighbors.  So  ye  see  I'se  well
taken  care  of,  and  He,"  looking  devoutly  up,  "  blesses
me  in  my  soul.  My  dear  ones  are  in  his  land,  and  I'se
bidin'  my  summons  to  meet  'em.  there.  I'se  sinful
enough,  I  know  that,"  said  she,  laying  her  hand  on  her
heart,  "  but  I  does  love  the  Saviour,  and  I  know  he'll
wash  me  clean  in  his  blood.  Ye  niver  can  do  enough
for  him,  ye  niver  can  trust  him  too  much,  take  an  old
•woman's  word  for  that,"  said  Elsie  looking  tenderly  in
that  sweet  young  face  upturned  to  hers.
