When she had eaten a little bread and butter and an egg, and drunk two cups of tea, she lay back in her own easy chair, which had been placed for her by the side of the parlour fire, and fell fast asleep for ten minutes, breathing so gently that Willie got frightened, and thought she was dead.

But all at once she opened her eyes wide, and made a sign to him to come to her.
"Sit down there," she said, pushing a little footstool towards him.
Willie obeyed, and sat looking up in her face.
"So," she said, "you're the little man that can do everything ?" "No, grannie," answered Willie, laughing.

"I wish I could; but I am only learning to do a few things; and there's not one of them I can do right yet." "Do you know what they call you ?" "The boys at school call me Six-fingered Jack," said Willie.
"There!" said his grandmother.

"I told you so." "I'm glad it's only a nickname, grannie; but if it weren't, it would soon be one, for I'm certain the finger that came after the little one would be so much in the way it would soon get cut off." "Anyhow, supposing you only half as clever a fellow as you pass for, I want to try you.

Have you any objection to service?
I should like to hire you for my servant--my own special servant, you understand." "All right, grannie; here I am!" cried Willie, jumping up.