They were the sickly ones whom we feared to part with, and father said they would strive to get places for them in the country.

When we heard what our kind aunt wished, we saw not how we could leave the little ones; but Lady Scrope, she up and chid us well for silly, puling fools, who thought the world could not wag without our help.
And then she sent out and got two nice, comfortable, honest widow women to live in the house with the children.

And one of them had a neat-fingered daughter, who had been in good service till the plague sent her family into the country and she was packed off home.

Her she took for her maid, and sent Dorcas off with us.

Sure, never was a sharper tongue and a kinder heart in one body together! I had never thought to like Lady Scrope one-tenth part as well as I do." Those were happy days that followed.