“And he’s good to you?”
Her rosy face took an expression of surprise.
“Grandfather? Oh, yes! We are the only two left. I shall be—I shall be quite alone when he is gone.”
Could this—the desire to secure protection for his own, on whatever condition, be the explanation of the old man’s attitude? A wryed morality, if it were; but at least forethoughtful and unselfish. But no. The suggestion had been an evil and self-interested one.
“Do you serve the tap all day, Betty?” said he.
“Mostly, your honour. But Jim will take a turn when we go a-jaunting.”
“Who is Jim?”
“He’s the stable-boy.”
“Well, what have you got for me there?”
She groped in her basket.