"'Who is that miserable old woman, bothering every body?' asked I of a very civil searcher, profuse in his salaams.
"'Oh, Sahib, you will know for yourself, presently: she's always hanging about here, to get news of somebody in England, I believe—and to try to find a charitable captain who will take her all the way for nothing: rather too much of a good thing, you know, Sahib.'
[We really cannot undertake to scribble broken English: so we will translate any thing that may mysteriously have been chatted by havildars, and coolies; and all manner of strange names.]
"'Poor old soul—she looks very wretched: what's her name?' asked I, carelessly.
"'Oh, I never troubled to inquire, Sahib: I believe she was an old servant left behind as lumber, and she pesters every one, day by day, about some 'bonnie bonnie bairn.''
"In a moment, Emmy, I had seized on dear nurse Mackie!
"Very old, very deaf, very infirm—she fancied I was driving her away, as many others might have done; and, with a truly piteous face, pleaded—
"'Gude sir, have mercy on a puir auld soul—and let her ask for her sweet young mistress, only once, sir—only once more.'
"'Emily Warren?' said I.
"Her wrinkled face brightened over as with glory—and she answered—