"I hope not. How are Mrs. Marks and her husband?"
"Well. Very well, thank'ee, Miss."
"Are they from home, that you have charge of the Gate?" asked Amy, surprised at seeing a stranger.
"Mrs. Marks is, Miss, and that's why I'm here. I'm keeping house with her husband while she's away. Her mother's took very bad."
"I am sorry to hear that; but I hope it is nothing serious?"
"Well I don't expect anyhow she'll get over it, Miss, she ought to be dead by this time, and if she isn't I can't bide here no longer, I must be turning about home. Mrs. Marks promised fairly enough to bide only a week, and it's near upon three by my calculations. She's going to bring back a sister along with her, one that's dazed," and he tapped his forehead with a knowing look.
"A sad charge," replied Amy, "and one rather unsuited to Mrs. Marks."
"I don't know that, Miss. Yer see neighbours think Jane wouldn't be so bad if she worn't humoured, and she ain't likely to get much of that down here. To my thinking Mrs. Marks is just the right sort to cure her; she'd racket any poor body to their senses, if 'twas possible."
"Has Mrs. Marks' sister always been in such a sad state?"