“Come in and sit ye down, girl,” said Miss Abbey. “Can you eat a bit?”

“No thank you, Miss. I have had my supper.”

“I have had mine too, I think,” said Miss Abbey, pushing away the untasted dish, “and more than enough of it. I am put out, Lizzie.”

“I am very sorry for it, Miss.”

“Then why, in the name of Goodness,” quoth Miss Abbey, sharply, “do you do it?”

“ I do it, Miss!”

“There, there. Don’t look astonished. I ought to have begun with a word of explanation, but it’s my way to make shortcuts at things. I always was a pepperer. You Bob Gliddery there, put the chain upon the door and get ye down to your supper.”