Milbanke started. This sympathetic onslaught was as disconcerting as it was unexpected.
"I--I won't contradict you, Hannah," he said waveringly. "No doubt you are right."
For the space of a minute Hannah was profoundly silent; then she broached the subject that had been filling her mind for a day and a half.
"Wisha, now, is it thrue what they do be tellin' me?" she asked softly and warily--"that you're goin' to be father and mother an' all to thim two poor children?"
Again Milbanke started almost guiltily; then the personal anxiety that mingled with and almost dominated his grief for Asshlin rose irrepressibly in response to the persuasive tones, the kindly human interest and curiosity.
"Yes, Hannah," he said quickly. "Yes, it is my intention to try and fill my poor friend's place."
The tears welled suddenly into Hannah's eyes, and with an awkward movement she wiped her rough hand in her apron and held it out.
"God Almighty will give it back to you, sir!" she exclaimed, with impulsive fervour.
Strangely touched by the expression of understanding and appreciation, he responded to the gesture and took her hand.
"Don't be mindin' an ould woman like me, sir," she said deprecatingly. "'Twas the thought of the children that come over me. I couldn't help it. I had the both of thim in me arms before they could cry. Small wonder me heart would be in thim! Many's the sad day I put over me, thinkin' what would become of them, wid the poor masther goin' to the bad. God forgive me for sayin' it! And sure now 'tis all settled and done for--and the heavth of it off of our minds. Praise be to God!"
"And what would you be thinkin' to do wid thim?" she asked presently in a new and more personal tone.
Milbanke did not answer at once. His eyes strayed uneasily from one object in the yard to another, while the frown of perplexity that had puckered his brow since Asshlin's death reappeared more prominently than before. At last, with a certain expression of puzzled resolution, he looked up and met Hannah's attentive gaze.
"To tell you the truth, Hannah," he said, "that is the precise question I have been asking myself ever since your poor master died."
There was a wait of some seconds while his listener digested the information; then she nodded her head with slow impressiveness.