Leonard commented upon the extreme neatness of the abode and its healthful situation, and expressed a hope that it might not be visited by the plague.
"I trust it will not," rejoined the old woman, shaking her head; "but when I hear the doleful bell at night--when I catch a glimpse of the fatal cart--or look towards yon dreadful place," and she pointed in the direction of the plague-pit, which lay only a few hundred yards to the west of her habitation--"I am reminded that the scourge is not far off, and that it must needs reach me ere long." "Have no fear, Dame Lucas," said the piper; "you see it has pleased a merciful Providence to spare the lives of myself, my child, and this young man, and if you should be attacked, the same benificent Being may preserve you in like manner." "The Lord's will be done!" rejoined Dame Lucas.

"I know I shall be well attended to by Doctor Hodges.

I nursed him when he was an infant, and he has been like a son to me.

Bless his kind heart!" she exclaimed, her eyes filling with tears of gratitude, "there is not his like in London." "Always excepting my master," observed Leonard, with a smile at her enthusiasm.
"I except no one," rejoined Dame Lucas.

"A worthier man never lived, than Doctor Hodges.