'Do tell me, dear,' I ventured to say.

'I am an old woman, and you, sir, are only a boy, though it's a fine man you will be--like your dear, splendid father, which I remember so well, and gentle like your poor dear mother.' "'You're a dear!' he says; and with that I took up his hand and kissed it, for I remember his poor dear mother so well, that was dead only a year.

Well, with that he turned his head away, and when I took him by the shoulders and turned him round--he is only a young boy, ma'am, for all he is so big--I saw that the tears were rolling down his cheeks.
With that I laid his head on my breast--I've had children of my own, ma'am, as you know, though they're all gone.

He came willing enough, and sobbed for a little bit.

Then he straightened himself up, and I stood respectfully beside him.
"'Tell Mr.Melton,' he said, 'that I shall not trouble him about the trustee business.' "'But won't you tell him yourself, sir, when you see him ?' I says.
"'I shall not see him again,' he says; 'I am going back now!' "Well, ma'am, I knew he'd had no breakfast, though he was hungry, and that he would walk as he come, so I ventured to say: 'If you won't take it a liberty, sir, may I do anything to make your going easier?
Have you sufficient money, sir?
If not, may I give, or lend, you some?
I shall be very proud if you will allow me to.' "'Yes,' he says quite hearty.