She laughed very much at this question, and told him that Seatoller was the name of the little hamlet where old Mary lived.
"Do you mind my coming with you, Miss Douglas? It's awfully slow going for a walk alone."
"Not at all. Only take care how you carry that basket, because old Mary's pudding and beef-tea are in it."
"Who is old Mary?"
"She's a dear old woman who lives in one of the cottages at Seatoller. Look across the valley, you can see the white houses of the little place. There are only about six, I think. They are just at the bottom of Honister Pass."
"Do you often go to see her?"
"Whenever I can. We have quite a number of old women here. I think it must be because it is so healthy. They all live to be very old, and they are all friends of mine, so they have to take their turn; but this is old Mary's day."
"How they must look forward to their turn!" he said.
"Yes, I think they do; but I'm afraid none of them will get a turn soon. I'm going away, Captain Fortescue."
"Going away?"