I shouldn't wonder but she's felt her position a little now an' then; it's only natural in a growin' girl, do what you can to prevent it.

Still, she's willin'; that nobody can deny, an' I'm sure I should never wish to.

Her cirkinstances has been peculiar; that you'll understand, I'm sure.

But I done my best to take the place of the mother as is gone to a better world.

An' now that she's layin' ill, I'm sure no mother could feel it more--' 'Ill?
Why didn't you mention that before ?' 'Didn't I say as she was ill?
Why, I thought it was the first word I spoke as soon as you got into the 'ouse.