"Chut—chut! What a witch it is! Why didn't it stay at home, and not worry the old man?"
"Serve up the breakfast, Grand-dad, and believe in the salutary nature of your granddaughter's visitations."
The two sat down to their meal, and both ate for a time in unbroken silence. After his third glass of sour claret, the old man spoke:
"How are you, Nina? You don't look up to much?"
"Would you be up to much if a fever consumed you day and night? Feel my hand, Grand-dad."
The old man gripped the slender fingers, then flung them away.
"Good God! they burn!" he said. "Don't touch me, witch. You may have contracted something catching."
"No, nothing that the old man can catch. Now, let us be pleasant, and enjoy the day together."
"We can't. I am going to move to-day."
"You must stay here to-day; you can move tomorrow."