bent upon having a thorough cleaning-out of the dwelling-room,
during which process Jan was likely to be in her way; so she caught
him up in her arms and went to seek Abel in the round-house.

She had the less scruple in availing herself of his services, that
there was no wind, and business was not brisk in the windmill.

"Maester!" she cried, "can Abel mind Jan a bit? I be going to clean
the house."

"Ay, ay," said the windmiller, "Abel can mind un. I be going to the
village myself, but there's Gearge to start, if so be the wind
rises. And then if he want Abel, thee must take the little un
again."

"Sartinly I will," said his wife; and Abel willingly received his
charge and carried him off to play among the sacks.

George joined them once, but Jan had a rooted and unconquerable
dislike to the miller's man, and never replied to his advances with
any thing more friendly than anger or tears. This day was no
exception to others in this respect; and after a few fruitless
attempts to make himself acceptable, in the course of which he trod
on the sandy kitten's tail, who ran up Jan's back and spat at her
enemy from that vantage-ground, George went off muttering in terms
by no means complimentary to the little Jan. Abel did his best to
excuse the capricious child to George, besides chiding him for his
rudeness--with very little effect. Jan dried his black eyes as the
miller's man made off, but he looked no more ashamed of himself than
a good dog looks who has growled or refused the paw of friendship to