Where's that old hag now?
She ought to be here to show you your room," and reaching a heavy stick, which stood by his bedside, he knocked impatiently on the bare boarded floor, calling Mrs.Finch! Mrs.Finch! so loudly at the same time, that Valmai seriously feared he would burst a blood vessel.
"Deaf as a post," he said, gasping.
"Leave it to me, uncle; don't tire yourself.

She has shown me my room, and there she is taking my bag up.

Now, see how quickly I'll be back, and bring you a nice cup of tea, and one for myself in the bargain, for I am famishing," and she left the room with a cheerful nod towards the old man.
"Bless her purty face!" said the rumbling voice when the door was closed.

"Ay don't want her cup o' tea! Never could bear the slosh, but Ay'm blest if Ay won't drink it to the dregs to please her." In a very short time Valmai returned, carrying a tray laid out neatly with tea-things for two; and, drawing a little round table towards the bed, placed the tray upon it, while Mrs.Finch brought in some slices of cold ham.
"There, you see," said Valmai, "I'm making myself quite at home.

I asked Mrs.Finch for that ham." "Of course you did, may dear! Didn't Ay tell you, you old addlepate," he said, turning to poor Mrs.Finch, whose only desire seemed to be to find a place for the ham and get out of the room--"didn't Ay tell you the lil gel would come ?" "Iss you did--many taimes to-day," said Mrs.Finch, while the old man fumbled about for another book to throw after her.
Valmai laughed, but chided gently; "Oh, poor old thing, uncle! She flew about like lightning to get the tea ready.