'There, my dear! You must take good care of it, and never give it away
for love or money. Don't you open it--there's a good boy, till you're a
man like your father. He _was_ a man! He gave it to me the day we were
married, for he had nothing else, he said, to offer me. But I would not
take it, my dear. I liked better to see him with it than have it
myself. And when he left me, I kept it for you. But you must take care
of it, you know.'

'Oh, thank you, grannie!' I cried, in an agony of pleasure. 'I _will_
take care of it--indeed I will. Is it a real watch, grannie--as real as
uncle's?'

'It's worth ten of your uncle's, my dear. Don't you show it him,
though. He might take that away too. Your uncle's a very good man, my
dear, but you mustn't mind everything he says to you. He forgets
things. I never forget anything. I have plenty of time to think about
things. I never forget.'

'Will it go, grannie?' I asked, for my uncle was a much less
interesting subject than the watch.

'It won't go without being wound up; but you might break it. Besides,
it may want cleaning. It's several years since it was cleaned last.
Where will you put it now?'

'Oh! I know where to hide it safe enough, grannie,' I exclaimed. 'I'll
take care of it. You needn't be afraid, grannie.'

The old lady turned, and with difficulty tottered to her seat. I