Nelly could not eat,—the food seemed to choke her; but the tea was refreshing and comforting.
As granny's bodily wants were supplied, her spirits rose in proportion; and by the time she had finished her sixth cup she was ready to cast off all her anxiety and believe that something would turn up to make all right.
"And what if we do have to leave the old shanty? It's only for a while; and it's not much we shall miss it when we get back to Kilmane, where they wouldn't have it for a dog-kennel."
Nelly found it hard to repress the impatient words which rose to her lips at this speech. But she controlled herself, and answered quietly—
"Well, never mind that now, granny. I want to hear just what Mr. Grayson said."
"Sure I told you what he said. What does it signify? and what could you do, if you knew,—a child like you? Don't be setting yourself above your betters, Nelly Ryan!"
Nelly had no intention of setting herself up. But she knew that, child as she was, she would have to do all that was to be done; and she persisted till, partly by coaxing, partly by a little mild compulsion, she succeeded in extracting the whole story. The place had been about one-third paid for at first; and, since then, Mrs. Ryan had kept along by paying her interest, and a few dollars in addition, once or twice a year. But this last year she had not even paid her interest; and Mr. Grayson, getting out of patience, declared that he would wait upon her no longer.
"How did it happen that you did not pay the interest this year, granny?"
"Sure I had other uses for the money; and what was ten or fifteen dollars to him, that's rolling in riches?"
"But if it was his, granny, he ought to have had it. People want what is their own, if they are rich, I suppose."