It's that as is worst, Miss Nelly, it is." And the poor man brushed some tears from his eyes with the back of his withered, furrowed hand.

Ellinor caught the infection, and cried outright, sobbed like a child, even while she held out her little white thin hand to his grasp.

For as soon as he saw her emotion, he was penitent for what he had said.
"Don't now--don't," was all he could think of to say.
"Dixon!" said she at length, "you must not mind it.

You must try not to mind it.

I see he does not like to be reminded of that, even by seeing me.