In short, they are almost friends, and she trusts him as she has never trusted any young man yet, save the boy she lost when she was still a comely widow.
Perhaps this is why, on this night when we find the two together, he ventures to turn the talk upon the man she had so devotedly served during the better part of her life.
He began with the cuckoo-clock.

Where did it come from?
How long had they had it?
What a jolly little customer the wee bird was, darting out and darting in with his hurry-call to anyone who would listen! It made a fellow feel ashamed to dawdle at his work.

It wouldn't do to let any mere bird get ahead of him--a wooden bird at that! He got her talking.

She had known Mr.Roberts' mother, and she had been in the house (a young girl then) when he went away to Europe.

He had not wanted to go.