"What is that you are saying?" exclaimed David, looking in from the shop, with quite a dramatic expression on his face. "Who is it you are wanting to elope with now? I really must know!"
Amid both laughter and tears Nanna explained the situation.
"Well, if she can manage to run away with him," said David magnanimously, "I am quite willing. But how can you work it, my sweet queen Bess?"
"Ah, that's the difficulty," she sighed. "I shall have to put my thinking cap on."
"There is no doubt he is very ill," said pitying Nanna; "he has a dreadful cough."
"A consumptive cough?" asked David.
"Yes."
"Then may God help him! I know what that means. My father died of consumption in Warley Hospital."
"I have it!" exclaimed Bessie, "let's get him into Warley Hospital! At least he would be some distance away, and would be better treated than in lodgings. Oh, yes, I'll manage to run away with him after all, you see if I don't! I'll call and see Mrs. Coates, and if I hear her lodger cough, I'll offer to get him an indoor letter for Warley Hospital. I'll not show myself at all, of course. Mrs. Coates shall do the real elopement work; I'll only superintend."