'Tell us a story of the fairies and your great-grandmother,' said Archie. 'What was it they did to help her?'
'There's not time for it now,' Nance replied. 'There's Master Justin and Bob at the door,' and, sure enough, as Archie looked round the two other boys made their appearance, though not the slightest sound of their footsteps had been heard.
Certainly, old as she was, Nance's hearing seemed as quick as that of the fairy Five-Ears.
'I don't want to keep you longer,' she went on, 'or your folk wouldn't be best pleased with me. You must come another day, and bring the little young lady, and old Nance will have some pretty stories ready for you.'
So the three boys bade her good evening and set off homewards, Bob accompanying them a part of the way, talking eagerly to Justin about the ferret scheme they were so full of.
Pat was very silent.
'What are you thinking about?' said Justin, when Bob had left them. 'You seem half asleep, both you and Archie.'
'I was thinking about old Nance,' said Pat; 'she's awfully queer.'
'Yes,' Archie agreed. 'I like her and I don't like her. At least I felt to-night as if I were a little afraid of her.'
'Rubbish,' said Justin. 'That's Pat putting nonsense in your head. If you're going to stuff him with all your fancies, Pat, I'd rather you didn't come with us.'