move out o' his cheer fur the rheumatiz,—when I hear him a-sayin' that he reckoned that Fred was a goin' to the dogs, I felt jest like up an' tellin' him how things was."
"Why on airth did n't you? Ef I'd 'a' been there, I'd—"
"But you know what Freddie's letter said. I kept still on that account; but I tell you I looked at Dan'l." From his pocket the old man took the missive worn with many readings, and gazed at it fondly, "Yes," he repeated, "I looked at Dan'l hard. I felt jest like up an' tellin' him."
"Well, no wonder. I'm afeard I 'd 'a' clean furgot Freddie's wishes an' told him everything. To think of old Dan'l Hastings, as old he is, a-gossipin' about other people's business! Sakes alive! he needs every breath he's got now fur his prayers,—as all of us pore mortals do now," added Mrs. Hodges, as she let her eyes fall upon her own wrinkled hands.
"Yes, we're old, Hester, you an' I; but I'm mighty glad o' the faith I've been a-storin' up, fur it's purty considerable of a help now."
"Of course, 'Liphalet, faith is a great comfort, but it 's a greater one to know that
