Miss Mary (aside. Rising abstractedly, and recalling herself with
an effort). I see,--a poor outcast, the mother of my anonymous
pupil. (Aloud.) Tommy! a good boy,--a dear, good little boy.

Duchess. Thankee, miss, thankee. If I am his mother, thar ain't a
sweeter, dearer, better boy lives than him. And, if I ain't much
as says it, thar ain't a sweeter, dearer, angeler teacher than he's
got. It ain't for you to be complimented by me, miss; it ain't for
such as me to be comin' here in broad day to do it, either; but I
come to ask a favor,--not for me, miss, but for the darling boy.

Miss Mary (aside--abstractedly). This poor, degraded creature will
kill me with her wearying gratitude. Sandy will not return, of
course, while she is here. (Aloud.) Go on. If I can help you or
yours, be assured I will.

The Duchess. Thankee, miss. You see, thar's no one the boy has
any claim on but me, and I ain't the proper person to bring him up.
I did allow to send him to 'Frisco, last year; but when I heerd
talk that a schoolma'am was comin' up, and you did, and he sorter
tuk to ye natril from the first, I guess I did well to keep him
yer. For, oh, miss, he loves ye so much; and, if you could hear
him talk in his purty way, ye wouldn't refuse him anything.

Miss Mary (with fatigued politeness, and increasing impatience). I
see, I see: pray go on.

The Duchess (with quiet persistency). It's natril he should take
to ye, miss; for his father, when I first knowed him, miss, was a
gentleman like yourself; and the boy must forget me sooner or