"She means nurse," said Humpty, with great emphasis. "Nan is ill with a cold in her head," he explained, "and mum has just made her go to bed and drink hot milk."
"I often see ye passin'," said Poor Jane conversationally.
"Yes," said Humpty, who was still holding his sister's hand tight, "we often come this way for a walk, and we always see you."
"You always walk this way, don't you?" said Dumpty bravely, though she still trembled with fright.
"Yes, I allus come along 'ere, every day, wet or fine."
"Why?" asked Humpty, who had an inquiring mind.
Then the old woman seized him by the arm. Humpty turned white with terror, but his courage did not forsake him.
"Why?" he repeated boldly.
The old woman pinched his arm.
"Don't you know why I come here?" she asked, her voice getting shriller and shriller; "don't you know why I walk up and down this road every day, fine or wet, through snow and hail?" She lowered her voice mysteriously, and clutched hold of Dumpty, who could not help shrieking. "You're a lucky little miss; you keep your brother as long as you can. Ah! my poor brother, my poor brother!"