and consumption as well. And then the doctor's IMPRECATION on its
little chest, night and morning, besides; but nothing don't seem to
do no good," said the poor nurse. "And so, ma'am,--her ladyship
being gone to the town,--thinks I, I'll take the dear child to the
windmill. For they do say,--where I came from, ma'am,--that if a
miller, that's the son of a miller, and the grandson of a miller,
holds a child that's got the whooping-cough in the hopper of the
mill whilst the mill's going, it cures them, however bad they be."

The reason of the nurse's visit being now made known, Mrs. Lake
called her husband, and explained to him what he was asked to do for
"her ladyship's baby." The miller scratched his head.

"I've heard my father say that his brother that drove a mill in
Cheshire had had it to do," said he, "but I never did it myself,
ma'am, nor ever see un done. And a hopper be an ackerd place,
ma'am. We've ground many a cat in this mill, from getting in the
hopper at nights for warmth. However," he added, "I suppose I can
hold the little lady pretty tight." And finally, though with some
unwillingness, the miller consented to try the charm; being chiefly
influenced by the wish not to disoblige the gentlefolk at the
Grange.

The little Jan had watched the proceedings of the visitors with
great attention. During the poor baby's fit of coughing, he was so
absorbed that the sandy kitten slipped through his arms and made
off, with her tail as stiff as a sentry's musket; and now that the
miller took the baby into his arms, Jan became excited, and asked,
"What daddy do with un?"