She was no blood relation of the family but, as an ancient companion to a former mistress of the house, had long eaten the bread of charity under that roof.

She was now engaged upon some eye-tormenting, fine fancy work which could not have afforded the poor creature very much amusement.
The old gentleman on the sofa used to divert himself the whole day by assembling as many human beings around him as possible and driving them to desperation by his unendurable nagging and chiding; they, on the other hand, had by this time discovered that the best defence against this domestic visitation was never to answer so much as a word.
"Of course! Of course!" continued the old gentleman with stinging sarcasm.

"I know what a bore it is to be near me and about me.

I see through it all.

Yes, I _know_ that I am an unendurable old fellow on whom not a single word should be wasted.