The next day but one Gladys went to see her, and did what she could to comfort and help her; she was used to all sorts of sorrow and sin, and was so gentle a consoler, and so Christian an adviser, that poor Mrs Jenkins asked her to come and stay with her always; but that could not be; she went, however, as often as she could leave Netta.
Netta's will and word was now law with her father; he refused her nothing; he even allowed her to see her mother-in-law, provided the meeting was managed when he was from home. It was so managed, and a melancholy meeting it proved; the old woman's tears and sobs were so irrepressible, that Gladys was obliged to shorten it as much as possible; Netta, however, was calmer than she expected.
'Mother,' she said, 'I want you to promise me one thing. If I die—'
'Oh, Netta, fach! why was you talking of dying? you 'ont be dying.'
'I said if, mother. I wish Gladys, who is going to marry Owen—'
'Gladys, Owen! name o' goodness! and your father! he 'ouldn't let you marry my Howels, and she—'
'Is very good, mother, whilst I am very bad. But I wish her and Owen to bring up my child; you must tell Howel so, when he comes back; and when she is grown up, she will be a comfort to you and him. My head is confused; I dreamt last night Howel was here, and he was going to take away Minette. Is he with you, mother? tell me! do you know where he is? Oh! if I could see him once more! once more!'
'He is being safe in America, Netta, fach, but is coming home soon I am thinking. Don't you be dying; he was doating upon you, and if he do come home, and don't be finding you, he'll be dying too.'
'Are you sure he will come back? Did he tell you so himself?'
'To be seure. He is coming back soon, only he must be paying his debts first. Come you!'