“And to be sure,” added the Secretary, as a comfort for her, “Sloppy will be eagerly looking forward to his opportunity of being to you what you have been to him.”
“Trust him for that, sir!” said Betty, cheerfully. “Though he had need to be something quick about it, for I’m a getting to be an old one. But I’m a strong one too, and travel and weather never hurt me yet! Now, be so kind as speak for me to your lady and gentleman, and tell ’em what I ask of their good friendliness to let me do, and why I ask it.”
The Secretary felt that there was no gainsaying what was urged by this brave old heroine, and he presently repaired to Mrs. Boffin and recommended her to let Betty Higden have her way, at all events for the time. “It would be far more satisfactory to your kind heart, I know,” he said, “to provide for her, but it may be a duty to respect this independent spirit.” Mrs. Boffin was not proof against the consideration set before her. She and her husband had worked too, and had brought their simple faith and honour clean out of dustheaps. If they owed a duty to Betty Higden, of a surety that duty must be done.
“But, Betty,” said Mrs. Boffin, when she accompanied John Rokesmith back to his room, and shone upon her with the light of her radiant face, “granted all else, I think I wouldn’t run away.”
“ ’Twould come easier to Sloppy,” said Mrs. Higden, shaking her head. “ ’Twould come easier to me too. But ’tis as you please.”
“When would you go?”
“Now,” was the bright and ready answer. “Today, my deary, tomorrow. Bless ye, I am used to it. I know many parts of the country well. When nothing else was to be done, I have worked in many a market-garden afore now, and in many a hop-garden too.”