Jim, and maybe she can help you on a bit. I promised her that you
would go over and see her to-morrow."

"I don't want her help, uncle, and I don't want to see her."

"But I've promised, Jim, and you wouldn't make me out a liar. She
does but want to talk with you, for it is a lonely life she leads."

"What would she want to talk with such as me about?"

"Why, I cannot say that, but she seemed very set upon it, and women
have their fancies. There's young Master Stone here who wouldn't
refuse to go and see a good lady, I'll warrant, if he thought he
might better his fortune by doing so."

"Well, uncle, I'll go if Roddy Stone will go with me," said Jim.

"Of course he'll go. Won't you, Master Rodney?"

So it ended in my saying "yes," and back I went with all my news to
my mother, who dearly loved a little bit of gossip. She shook her
head when she heard where I was going, but she did not say nay, and
so it was settled.

It was a good four miles of a walk, but when we reached it you would
not wish to see a more cosy little house: all honeysuckle and
creepers, with a wooden porch and lattice windows. A common-looking
woman opened the door for us.

"Miss Hinton cannot see you," said she.