So only at the last did she, as the sole hope of warding off poverty and misery from her child, determine to cast herself upon their mercy.
The year had nearly passed, when the Vicar had another stroke, a stroke that rendered him childish and helpless, and precluded all possibility of his leaving his bed again.

Miss Thornton found that it was necessary to have a man servant in the house now, to move him, and so on.

So one evening, when Major and Mrs.Buckley and the Doctor had come down to sit with her, she asked, did they know a man who could undertake the business?
"I do," said the Doctor.

"I know a man who would suit you exactly.

A strong knave enough.