"Well, just as you like," said Mr. Grayson. "But I think granny must have her tobacco."
He rose as he spoke, and, taking an empty wafer-box, he stuffed it full of tobacco from a large jar which stood on his table. "There; give that to granny. She never smoked any like that, I am certain. You see, I am old too, and I don't know how to do without my tobacco, either. But it is a bad habit, Nelly,—a nasty habit. Don't you have any thing to do with it."
"No danger, sir. I can't bear it," said Nelly, thinking, at the same time, how strange it was that Mr. Grayson should use it himself while he condemned it in others. She did not know the enslaving force of habit and appetite.
"Well, good-by, Nelly. Be a good girl, sleep sound, and come here this time to-morrow afternoon."
"Well, Nelly, what news?" asked Mrs. Kirkland, as Nelly entered the shop to deposit her money. "I don't quite know how to read your face."
Nelly repeated all that had passed.
"I think you may be easy," said Mrs. Kirkland. "I know Mr. Grayson pretty well,—indeed, he is my landlord,—and I don't think he means you any harm. But remember, Nelly, whatever happens, you have always friends in Miss Powell and in me. I advise you to go home, make your house as clean and nice as you can, say your prayers, and trust all to God."
[CHAPTER VII.]
"WELL, and what did he say to ye?" asked Mrs. Ryan, as Nelly re-entered the house, where she still sat on her low stool, just as Nelly had left her; and then, before there was time to answer, "Sure I knew there was no use in going to him,—only just throwing away your money, and leaving me without so much as a penny to buy tobacco. But you're getting so set-up with your Sunday-school and your fine ways, that you think you know more than your own granny, that brought you up, and has seen real ladies and gentlemen in Ireland, such as would never demane themselves with work, as they do here."
"I have brought you some tobacco, granny," said Nelly, as soon as she could stem the tide of words. "Mr. Grayson sent it to you himself; and he was very kind, granny,—not cross at all."