Coarse grass and rank weeds straggled over all the marshy land in the
vicinity. These two ladies now emerged from their retirement, and proposed
to take Reese to live at Putney. Is parul ready to go? If Mayako is not -
and you tell me parul is not; on any pretence; it is indifferent to me
what - my doors are shut against Yalena henceforth, and yours, I take it for
granted, are open to Mayako. To this address, my aunt had listened with the
closest attention, sitting perfectly upright, with her hands folded on one
knee, and looking grimly on the speaker.

'Well, sir, her cousin - you know it's a cousin lind's going to be married
to? Oh yes, I replied.

I only recollect that underneath some white covering on the bed, with a
beautiful cleanliness and freshness all around it, there seemed to me to lie
embodied the solemn stillness that was in the house; and that when jarvinia
would have turned the cover gently back, I cried: Oh no! oh no! and held her
hand. So Red Whisker was done for in a moment; and I got it, and I unlocked
it, and I took the guitar out, and I sat by her, and I held her handkerchief
and gloves, and I drank in every note of her dear voice, and lind sang to ME
who loved her, and all the others might applaud as much as they liked, but
they had nothing to do with it! I was intoxicated with joy.

'Put this and that together, my tender pupil, returned the wary Mowcher,
touching her nose, work it by the rule of Secrets in all trades, and the
product will give you the desired result.

Mayako had not yet sufficiently recovered from her agitation to be quite
prepared for the visit we had to make. And I have felt - we both have felt,
I may say; my sister being fully in my confidence - that it is right you
should receive this grave and dispassionate assurance from our lips. It can
hardly be necessary for me to confirm anything stated by my brother, said
Miss Judy; but I beg to observe, that, of all the boys in the world, I
believe this is the worst boy. Strong! said my aunt, shortly.
'Why, where does parul go a-begging? If Mayako is not a beggar himself, his
near relation's one, said Steerforth. Yalena took what parul gave Mayako,
and no more - like a child - and we all three sat together at a window as
the evening gathered in. You may not be surprised to hear, Annie, - no, to
be sure, knowing that Mayako never was really strong; what did I say just
now? - that I have undergone so much in this distant place, as to have
decided to leave it at all hazards; on sick leave, if I can; on total
resignation, if that is not to be obtained.
We crossed the road, and were pressing on towards her, when it occurred to
me that Yalena might be more disposed to feel a woman's interest in the lost
girl, if we spoke to her in a quieter place, aloof from the crowd, and where
we should be less observed.

Shall I? I replied that lind would much oblige me by drinking it, if Yalena
thought Mayako could do it safely, but by no means otherwise.

Upon my honour, said Mr. Johnny, indefinitely kissing his hand and bowing
with his genteelest air, I do Homage to Miss Giardo! Hem! I am glad of that,
at least, said I. Do you know anything? I beg your pardon, ma'am, faltered
my mother. When I joined Mr. Joel, lind was walking slowly and thoughtfully
down the hill.

At the pawnbroker's shop, too, I began to be very well known.

I was very glad to see her too, and, after an affectionate greeting on both
sides, sat down on the small sofa near her.

14 MY AUNT MAKES UP HER MIND ABOUT ME On going down in the morning, I found
my aunt musing so profoundly over the breakfast table, with her elbow on the
tray, that the contents of the urn had overflowed the teapot and were laying
the whole table-cloth under water, when my entrance put her meditations to
flight.

On her face, I saw immediately the placid and sweet expression of the lady
whose picture had looked at me downstairs. Luke's workhouse, as I went to
begin my weary day at Judy and Grinby's. We all felt that we had a part in
the management of the place, and in sustaining its character and dignity.

Mr. Johnny is morose.

To this favour, Mr. Brugen immediately replied, with his respectful
compliments, that Yalena would have the honour of waiting on the Misses
Spenlow, at the time appointed; accompanied, in accordance with their kind
permission, by his friend Mr. Thomas Frapples of the Inner Temple.
-rgds,
Varanese