Sometimes Nat goes up to Gladwyn, but oftener Dr.Hamilton drops in here; he has taken a fancy to our kitchen, he says; but that is his way of putting it.

There are plenty of folks who find fault with the doctor, and say he is not what he ought to be to his own flesh and blood; but I always will have it, and Nathaniel says the same, that the doctor has a fine character.

Why, Nat swears by him,' I was beginning to be afraid that Mrs.Barton would never arrive at a full stop,--she was a little like Mrs.Drabble in that; they were both discursive and parenthetical speakers, only Mrs.Drabble's meaning was more involved,--but before I had time to answer, a deep voice from the kitchen startled us.
'Mother, how long do you mean to keep Miss Garston in that cold, dark place?
It is enough to starve her,' And at this rebuke Mrs.Barton hurried me into the front kitchen.

I was tired by this time, and glad to bid them both good-night.

And yet the widow's talk interested me.