 suppose, to ask me another. But it happens, just now, Mr. Coverdale,
that you can tell me more about the maker of those little purses, than I can
tell you.«
    »Why do you trouble him with needless questions, Coverdale?« interrupted
Hollingsworth. »You must have known, long ago, that it was Priscilla. And so, my
good friend, you have come to see her? Well, I am glad of it. You will find her
altered very much for the better, since that wintry evening when you put her
into my charge. Why, Priscilla has a bloom in her cheeks, now!«
    »Has my pale little girl a bloom?« repeated Moodie, with a kind of slow
wonder. »Priscilla with a bloom in her cheeks! Ah, I am afraid I shall not know
my little girl. And is she happy?«
    »Just as happy as a bird,« answered Hollingsworth.
    »Then, gentlemen,« said our guest, apprehensively, »I don't think it well
for me to go any further. I crept hitherward only to ask about Priscilla; and
now that you have told me such good news, perhaps I can do no better than to
creep back again. If she were to see this old face of mine, the child would
remember some very sad times which we have spent together. Some very sad times
indeed! She has forgotten them, I know - them and me - else she could not be so
happy, nor have a bloom in her cheeks. Yes - yes - yes,« continued he, still
with the same torpid utterance; »with many thanks to you, Mr. Hollingsworth, I
will creep back to town again.«
    »You shall do no such thing, Mr. Moodie!« said Hollingsworth, bluffly.
»Priscilla often speaks of you; and if there lacks anything to make her cheeks
bloom like two damask roses, I'll venture to say, it is just the sight of your
face. Come; we will go and find her.«
    »Mr. Hollingsworth!« said the old man, in his hesitating way.
    »Well!« answered Hollingsworth.
    »Has there been any call for Priscilla?« asked Moodie; and though his face
was hidden from us, his tone gave a sure indication of the mysterious nod and
wink with which he put the question. »You know, I think, sir, what I mean.«
    »I have not the remotest suspicion what you mean, Mr. Moodie
