"Well, I went to my bed. I lay for a while awake; for a' things was
new to me; and I think the tea was in my nerves, too, for I wasn't
used to it, except now and then on a holiday, or the like. And I heard
Mrs. Wyvern talkin', and I listened with my hand to my ear; but I
could not hear Mrs. Crowl, and I don't think she said a word.

"There was great care took of her. The people at Applewale knew that
when she died they would every one get the sack; and their situations
was well paid and easy.

"The doctor came twice a week to see the old lady, and you may be sure
they all did as he bid them. One thing was the same every time; they
were never to cross or frump her, any way, but to humour and please
her in everything.

"So she lay in her clothes all that night, and next day, not a word
she said, and I was at my needlework all that day, in my own room,
except when I went down to my dinner.

"I would a liked to see the ald lady, and even to hear her speak. But
she might as well a' bin in Lunnon a' the time for me.

"When I had my dinner my aunt sent me out for a walk for an hour. I
was glad when I came back, the trees was so big, and the place so dark
and lonesome, and 'twas a cloudy day, and I cried a deal, thinkin' of
home, while I was walkin' alone there. That evening, the candles bein'
alight, I was sittin' in my room, and the door was open into Madam
Crowl's chamber, where my aunt was. It was, then, for the first time I
heard what I suppose was the ald lady talking.