They were, however, comparatively modern and comfortable, with two
bedrooms above and two living-rooms below, far superior to the older and
more picturesque cottages in the main street.

John went in softly, put down his straw dinner-bag, and took off his
heavy boots. Then he opened a door in the wall of the kitchen, and
gently climbed the stairs.

A girl was sitting by the bed. When she saw his whitish head and red
face emerge against the darkness of the stairhole, she put up her finger
for silence.

John crept in and came to look at the patient. His eyes grew round and
staring, his colour changed.

'Is she a-goin?' he said, with evident excitement.

Jim's Louisa shook her head. She was rather a stupid girl, heavy and
round-faced, but she had nursed her grandmother well.

'No, she's asleep. Muster Drew's been here, and she dropped off while he
was a-talkin to her.'

Mr. Drew was the Congregational minister.

'Did she send for him?'

'Yes; she said she felt her feet a-gettin cold and I must run. But I
don't believe she's no worse.'