"What's the matter, my wench?" said Job hastily.

"O grandfather! Alice Wilson's so bad!" She could say no more for
her breathless agitation. The afternoon, and the parting with Will,
had weakened her nerves for any after-shock.

"What is it? Do tell us, Margaret!" said Mary, placing her in a
chair, and loosening her bonnet-strings.

"I think it's a stroke o' the palsy. Any rate she has lost the use
of one side."

"Was it afore Will set off?" asked Mary.

"No, he were gone before I got there," said Margaret; "and she were
much about as well as she has been for many a day. She spoke a bit,
but not much; but that were only natural, for Mrs. Wilson likes to
have the talk to hersel, you know. She got up to go across the
room, and then I heard a drag wi' her leg, and presently a fall, and
Mrs. Wilson came running, and set up such a cry! I stopped wi'
Alice, while she fetched a doctor; but she could not speak, to
answer me, though she tried, I think."

"Where was Jem? Why didn't he go for the doctor?"

"He were out when I got there, and he never came home while I
stopped."

"Thou'st never left Mrs. Wilson alone wi' poor Alice?" asked Job
hastily.