There was a curious healthfulness about the slender, wiry little creature who was overworked and under-fed, a healthfulness which seemed to result from the action of the mind upon a meagre body.
"Hullo, Granville Joy!" she said, in her good-comrade fashion, and the two went on together.

Presently Abby looked up in his face.
"Know about Ellen ?" said she.

Granville nodded.
"Well, I'm glad of it, aren't you ?" Abby said, in a challenging tone.
"Yes, I am," replied Granville, meeting her look firmly.
Suddenly he felt Abby's little, meagre, bony hand close over the back of his, holding the kerosene-can.

"You're a good fellow, Granville Joy," said she.
Granville marched on and made no response.

He felt his throat fill with sobs, and swallowed convulsively.