The Argosy — page 162: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Valentina. 147 Bustling about, she put the room into order. In her basket she had brought home some ducks’ eggs to put under one of her hens that wanted to sit ; and she hastened out to lay them in the nest, for she knew that ducks’ eggs are apt to take a chill and be none the better for it. Coming back she gave Valentina a lump of sugar, and then laid the cloth for her own tea—tea and dinner in one. She drew the round table near the stove and spread the white cloth upon it ; and set out the tea-pot and a cup and saucer, some bread, butter, and a small piece of cold boiled beef. It was done quickly and dexterously, as though she were a fairy elf. She did not look un- like one, for she was very small and slight and graceful, and her face was fair, and her eyes were blue with a kindly look in them. Valentina was treated to some sop; bread and water, well sweetened. ‘The old lady had been used to feed her on it, and Jessy did the same. “ Not sweet! Not sweet! More sugar for Valentina.” Jessy laughed, and sprinkled a bit more; it was the usual routine when the parrot was fed. ‘Then she sat down to her own meal. Tea over, she hastened to clear it all away, washed her hands, and sat down to her embroidery. A light vehicle was heard to stop outside, and a man’s steps approached the door, which was then knocked at. Valentina shrieked out : “Oh, come in, come in! Why don’t you come in? Walk in and take a chair.” The door briskly opened ; it was not locked now ; and Drake the Carrier entered. Jessy folded her work within its tissue paper and stood up. “Fine man! Fine man! ‘Take a chair now.” This from Valentina. Jessy blushed rosy red, fearing Mr. Drake should think the phrase ‘‘ fine man” had been caught from herself. “T came here this morning, but the door was locked,” said he. “That chattering parrot called out to me to come in, and I thought it was you. Misleading creature! I wonder you put up with her.” “T have got used to her now,” said Jessy; ‘‘and she makes the house seem less lonely.” “Tt zs lonely for you here, Miss Jessy, just yourself and the four walls. Why I, up to my place, feel lonely at times, though mostly i’ve too much to do to think about it.” “ And you have Ann Seabright to keep you company.” ‘Ann Seabright! Much company Ann is, poor old thing. She’ll be eighty, come next winter, and the work of the house has got beyond her; takes her as many hours to tidy up the kitchen as it would a younger one minutes. She began crying yesterday and said she should have to give up.” ““T am sorry for that. Won’t you sit down, Mr. Drake?” “Thankye ! I haven’t got time; the cart’s outside. I called in this COMIC OOO (S©) im