"Good mornin', Uncle Billy," said the boy, trying to speak cheerfully.
"Gude mornin' till ye, Ralph! Ye're up airly the mornin'. I mak' free to say ye're a-feelin' better."
"Yes, I am. I didn't sleep very well, but I'm better this mornin'. I wisht it was all over with—the trial I mean; you see it's a-makin' me kind o' nervous an'—an' tired. I can't stan' much 'xcitement, some way."
"Wull, ye'll no' ha' lang to wait I'm a-thinkin'. It'll be ower the day. What aboot you're gaein' to Wilkesbarre?"
"I don't know. I guess I'll go down to Mr. Sharpman's office after a while, an' see if he's left any word for me."
Mrs. Maloney appeared at her door.
"The top o' the mornin' to yez!" she cried, cheerily. "It's a fine mornin' this!"
Both Bachelor Billy and Ralph responded to the woman's hearty greeting. She continued:
"Ye'll be afther gettin' out in the air, I mind, to sharpen up the appetites; an' a-boardin' with a widdy, too, bad 'cess to ye!"
Mrs. Maloney was inclined to be jovial, as well as kind-hearted. "Well, I've a bite on the table for yez, an ye don't come an' ate it, the griddle-cakes'll burn an' the coffee'll be cowld, an'—why, Ralph, is it sick ye are? sure, ye're not lookin' right well."