outs of it. But I can't now--I can't now.'

She moaned and rocked herself to and fro.

'Never mind, grannie,' I said cheerfully, for I was happy enough for
all eternity with my gold watch; 'I will come and see you again as soon
as ever I can.' And I kissed her on the white cheek.

'Thank you, my dear. I think you had better go now. They may miss you,
and then I should never see you again--to talk to, I mean.'

'Why won't they let me come, and see you, grannie?' I asked.

'That's what I wanted to tell you, if I could only see a little
better,' she answered, once more putting her hand to her forehead.
'Perhaps I shall be able to tell you next time. Go now, my dear.'

I left the room, nothing loth, for I longed to be alone with my
treasure. I could not get enough of it in grannie's presence even.
Noiseless as a bat I crept down the stair. When I reached the door at
the foot I stood and listened. The kitchen was quite silent. I stepped
out. There was no one there. I scudded across and up the other stair to
my own room, carefully shutting the door behind me. Then I sat down on
the floor on the other side of the bed, so that it was between me and
the door, and I could run into the closet with my treasure before any
one entering should see me.

The watch was a very thick round one. The back of it was crowded with
raised figures in the kind of work called _repoussee_. I pored over
these for a long time, and then turned to the face. It was set all