"Such a pack of nonsense," she ejaculated, as she took down the
black satin dress from its place in the wardrobe and shook out its
lustrous folds, "a lady of her age, just passed fifty, and acting as
though she were in her teens;" for Dawson, who was a privileged
person, always spoke her mind to her mistress; indeed, it was
rumoured in the household that Mrs. Herrick stood somewhat in awe of
her faithful retainer, and it was certainly the fact that if any of
the servants had incurred their mistress's displeasure, Dawson was
always the mediator, and brought the apology or conciliatory
message. Mrs. Herrick had a great respect for the straightforward,
honest little woman, who was never afraid to speak the truth on any
occasion, and she was sufficiently magnanimous to forgive her sharp
speeches.

"Dawson is worth her weight in gold," she would say sometimes. "When
the children were young I was never afraid to leave them in her
charge, I knew I could trust her;" and once she said with a sigh, "I
cannot forget her devotion to my dear Florence. She watched beside
her night and day, and yet there were other nurses. I shall never
forget her saying to me, 'Dear Miss Flo mustn't wake up and find
herself amongst strangers, or she will be scared, poor lamb. She
will like to see her old nurse's face, bless her,' and it seemed to
us all as though she lived without sleep. She was right too," went
on Mrs. Herrick softly, "for when Florence caught sight of her she
put out her arms with such a smile. 'It is my own dear nurse,' they
heard her say--those were my darling's last words."

When Dawson had left the room Malcolm looked at Anna with a smile.