I never saw old Anderson laugh so much as he did at this story of my father’s.  They continued to talk and smoke their pipes till about nine o’clock, when my father and he went to the hospital, and Bramble took possession of a bed which had been prepared for him in my mother’s house.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

     In which I learn the History of Old Nanny.

The next day, as soon as I had finished a letter to Bessy, in which I gave her a detail of what had passed, I went to old Nanny’s to persuade her, if possible, to tell me her history.  She was not at home, the door of her house was locked and the shutters of the shop fastened.  I was about to return to Fisher’s Alley, when I perceived her hobbling down the street.  I thought it better to make it appear as if I met her by accident; so I crossed over the way and walked toward her.  “Well, mother,” said I, “are you out so early?”

“Ah, Jack, is it you?  Yes, it is through you that I have had to take so long a walk.”

“Through me?”

“Yes, those presents you brought me.  I’m almost dead.  Why do you bring such things?  But I did not do badly, that’s the truth.”

I knew from this admission that old Nanny had sold them for more than she expected; indeed, she proved it by saying, as she arrived at her house, “Well, Jack, it’s very troublesome to have to walk so far; but as you cannot get me bottles or those kind of things, you must bring me what you can, and I must make the best of them.  I don’t mind trouble for your sake, Jack.  Now take the key, unlock the door, and then take down the shutters; and mind how you walk about, Jack, or you’ll break half the things in my shop.”  I did as she requested, and then we sat down together at the door as usual.

“I think I shall go away to-morrow, or early the next morning, mother,” said I, “for Bramble is here, and he never stays long from his work”

“That’s all right, he sets a good example; and, Jack, if you do go, see if you can’t beg a few more shells for me.  I like shells.”

“Yes, mother, I will not forget; but, as this is the last day I shall see you for some time, will you not keep your promise to me, and tell me your history?”

“Jack, Jack, you are the most persevering creature I ever did see.  I’m sure I shall be worried out of my life until I tell you, and so I may as well tell you at once, and there’ll be an end of it; but I wish you had not asked me.  Jack, I do indeed.  I thought of it last night when I was in bed, and at one time I made up my mind that I would not tell you, and then I thought again that I would; for, Jack, as I said yesterday, there’s a lesson in every life, and a warning in too many, and maybe mine will prove a warning to you, so far as to make you prevent a mother from being so foolish as I have been.

[Illustration:  NANNY RELATING HER STORY.—­Marryat, Vol.  X., p. 275.]