At this moment Mistress Nutter came up.
"My good friends," she said, "as you appear to take so much interest in Alizon, you may be glad to learn that it is my intention to adopt her as a daughter, having no child of my own; and, though her position henceforth will be very different from what it has been, I am sure she will never forget her old friends." "Never, indeed, never!" cried Alizon, earnestly.
"This is good news, indeed," cried Sampson Harrop, joyfully, while the others joined in his exclamation.

"We all rejoice in Alizon's good fortune, and think she richly deserves it.

For my own part, I was always sure she would have rare luck, but I did not expect such luck as this." "What's to become o' me ?" cried Jennet, coming from behind a chair, where she had hitherto concealed herself.
"I will always take care of you," replied Alizon, stooping, and kissing her.
"Do not promise more than you may be able to perform, Alizon," observed Mistress Nutter, coldly, and regarding the little girl with a look of disgust; "an ill-favour'd little creature, with the Demdike eyes." "And as ill-tempered as she is ill-favoured," rejoined Sampson Harrop; "and, though she cannot help being ugly, she might help being malicious." Jennet gave him a bitter look.
"You do her injustice, Master Harrop," said Alizon.

"Poor little Jennet is quick-tempered, but not malevolent." "Ey con hate weel if ey conna love," replied Jennet, "an con recollect injuries if ey forget kindnesses .-- Boh dunna trouble yourself about me, sister.

Ey dunna envy ye your luck.