“About the same, Miss?”
She shook her head.
“No better, at any rate; if anything, worse.”
“And Mr. Teesdale?”
“He is keeping up. The woman who is helping me to nurse has a baby. She had to bring it with her. Father plays with it all day, and it seems to occupy his mind.”
“Well, that's something. Now get your snack of air, miss. I mustn't keep you.”
“No, you mustn't. I am going to the Cultivation, it is so high and open there. Do you think it will rain before I can get back?”
Old Willie looked aloft. He was an ancient mariner, who had deserted his ship for the diggings in the early days; hence the aptitude for regular night-work.
“I think we shall catch it before pitch-dark,” said he; “so you'd better look sharp, miss; and—good-night!”
“Good-night; and thank you—thank you.”