And when thou goest take baby wi' thee and bring her up like thysel till she be old enough to coom back and look arter Luke and the house." Polly was crying quietly while the dying woman was speaking.

The doctor, on leaving that morning, had told her that he could do no more and that Mrs.Marner was sinking rapidly.

Kneeling now beside the bed she promised to do all that her adopted mother asked her, adding, "and I shall never, never leave feyther as long as he lives." The woman smiled faintly.
"Many a girl ha' said that afore now, Polly, and ha' changed her moind when the roight man asked her.

Don't ee make any promises that away, lass.

'Tis natural that, when a lassie's time comes, she should wed; and if Luke feels loanly here, why he's got it in his power to get another to keep house for him.