'I have come to see you,' said Mr. Merrywhistle.
Although she curtseyed, she was scarcely awake yet. But presently she said, 'O, yes, sir; I arks yer pardon. It's Mr. Merrywhistle?
'Yes, child; may I sit down?'
She motioned him to the only chair the room contained. 'It's very late, ain't it?' she asked. And then anxiously, 'Is anythink up?'
Mr. Merrywhistle was sufficiently versed in vulgar vernacular to understand her meaning. No, he said, there was nothing the matter. She gave a sigh of relief as she said, 'I thought you might 'ave come to tell me somethin' bad.'
'How long have you lived here?'
'O, ever so long.'
'Alone?' he asked, after a slight pause.
But to this question she made no reply.
'Times are hard with you, are they not, my child?' he said, approaching his subject.