"Never mind, my dear, don't try to explain; lie as long as you wish, and sleep if you can," said Hannah.
But Ishmael looked up again, and with recovered calmness, said:
"I will rest for half an hour, Aunt Hannah, no longer; and then I will get up and cut the wood, or do any work you want done."
"Very well, my boy," said Hannah, stooping and kissing him. Then she arranged the pillow, covered him up carefully, drew the curtains and came away and left him.
"He will be all right in a little while, Hannah, my dear," said Reuben, as he walked with her to the fireplace.
"Sit down there, Reuben, and tell me about yourself, and where you have been living all this time," said Hannah, seating herself in her arm-chair and pointing to another.
Reuben slowly took the seat and carefully deposited his hat on the floor by his side.
"I am sorry I spoke so sharply to you about the lad, Reuben; it was a thankless return for all your kindness in taking care of him and bringing him home; but indeed I am not thankless, Reuben; but I have grown to be a cross old woman," she said.
"Have you, indeed, Hannah, my dear?" exclaimed Reuben, raising his eyebrows in sincere astonishment and some consternation.
"It appears to me that you might see that I have," replied Hannah plainly.