"Grand'ma," said the eldest girl, "here is Miss Haye, — the young lady from Shahweetah — she's here."
The old woman turned her sightless eyes towards her visiter, got up and curtseyed.
"Don't do that," said Elizabeth, taking a seat near her. "Mr.
Underhill asked me some time ago to come and see his mother."
"I've heerd of ye," said the old woman. "'Siah was over to your place, makin' of a boat, or mendin', or somethin', he telled me. I'm glad to see ye. How did ye come across?"
"In a boat — in the boat he mended for me."
"Have you got somebody to row ye over?"
"I rowed myself over."
"Why did ye? — ain't ye afeard? I wouldn't ha' thought! 'Siah said she was a slim handsome girl, as one would see in the country."
"Well, I can row," said Elizabeth colouring; for she had an instant sense that several pairs of eyes not blind were comparing the report with the reality.
"Be you the owner of Shahweetah now?"