“Me, John! why I should be afraid something would go wrong.”
“Well, it isn't fair of me to put this trouble on you at your age; but read this letter—there is fifteen hundred pounds waiting for me in the North.”
The old woman put on her spectacles and read the letter slowly. “Go, John! go by all means! I will see all your things moved into the new house—don't let them be a hindrance; you go. Your old mother will take care your things are not hurt moving, nor you wronged in the way of expense.”
“Thank you, mother! thank you! they say there is no friend like a mother, and I dare say they are not far wrong.”
“No such friend but God—none such but God!” said the old woman with great emphasis and looking Meadows in the face with a searching eye.
“Well, then, here are the keys of the new house, and here are my keys. I am off tonight, so good-by, mother. God bless you!”
He had just turned to go, when by an unusual impulse he turned, took the old woman in his hands, almost lifted her off the ground, for she weighed light, and gave her a hasty kiss on the cheek; then he set her down and strode out of the house about his business.
When curious Hannah ran in the next moment she found the old lady in silent agitation. “Oh, dear! What is the matter, Dame Meadows?”
“Nothing at all, silly girl.”
“Nothing! And look at you all of a tremble.”