Hannah stood with her little, squat figure silhouetted against the
sky; she had placed both her arms akimbo, and was gazing at Nora
with a half-comical, half-frightened glance.

"You're a beauty," she said, "and you has the courage of ten women.
I'll tell Andy what you say; but, oh, glory! there's mischief in
that man's eyes, or I'm much mistook."

"You can't frighten me," said Nora, with a laugh. "How are the
children?"

"Oh, bless yez, they're as well and bonny as can be. Little Mike, he
said he'd stand and wait till you passed by the gate, he's that took
up with you, Miss Nora. You'd be concaited if you heard all he says
about you."

Nora thrust her hand into her pocket.

"Here," she said, "is a bright halfpenny; give it to Mike, and tell
him that Nora loves him very much. And now I am going home. Hannah,
you'll remember my message to Andy, and please let him understand
that he is not going to frighten me into doing anything I don't
think right."




CHAPTER X.