The old servant drew himself stiffly erect.

In his eyes shone the loyal pride of more than fifty years' honest service.

Almost at once, however, the pride died away, and the wistfulness returned.
"Thank ye, Miss; but I don't lay no claim to that, of course," he said.
"Mr.Cyril's a fine man, and we shall miss him; but--I cal'late changes must come--to all of us." Billy's brown eyes grew a little misty.
"I suppose they must," she admitted.
The old man hesitated; then, as if impelled by some hidden force, he plunged on: "Yes; and they'll be comin' to you one of these days, Miss, and that's what I was wantin' to speak to ye about.

I understand, of course, that when you get there you'll be wantin' younger blood to serve ye.

My feet ain't so spry as they once was, and my old hands blunder sometimes, in spite of what my head bids 'em do.