“Will you tell your grandmother who I am,” Elizabeth asked, with a shy ignorance how to address her, and an exceeding reluctance to it.

“Grand’ma,” said the eldest girl, “here is Miss Haye, —­ the young lady from Shahweetah —­ she’s here.”

The old woman turned her sightless eyes towards her visiter, got up and curtseyed.

“Don’t do that,” said Elizabeth, taking a seat near her.  “Mr. Underhill asked me some time ago to come and see his mother.”

“I’ve heerd of ye,” said the old woman. “’Siah was over to your place, makin’ of a boat, or mendin’, or somethin’, he telled me.  I’m glad to see ye.  How did ye come across?”

“In a boat —­ in the boat he mended for me.”

“Have you got somebody to row ye over?”

“I rowed myself over.”

“Why did ye? —­ ain’t ye afeard?  I wouldn’t ha’ thought!  ’Siah said she was a slim handsome girl, as one would see in the country.”

“Well, I can row,” said Elizabeth colouring; for she had an instant sense that several pairs of eyes not blind were comparing the report with the reality.

“Be you the owner of Shahweetah now?”

“Yes.”

“I heerd it was so.  And what’s become of the old family?”

“They are scattered.  Mr. Landholm is gone West, with one of his sons; the others are in different places.”

“And the girl is dead, ain’t she?”

“Winnie? —­ yes.”

Elizabeth knew that!

“The mother was gone first —­ to a better place.  She had a fine lot o’ children.  Will was a pictur; —­ the farmer, he was a fine man too; —­ but there was one —­ the second boy —­ Winthrop, —­ he was the flower of the flock, to my thinkin’.  I ha’n’t seen him this great while.  He’s been here since I lost my sight, but I thought I could see him when I heerd him speak.”

There was silence.  Elizabeth did not feel inclined to break it.

“Do you know him, maybe?” the old woman said presently.  Winthrop had made himself pleasant there! —­

“Yes.”

“Is he lookin’ as well as he used to?”

“Quite as well, I believe.”

“Is he gettin’ along well?”

“Yes —­ I believe so —­ very well.”

“Whatever he does ’ll prosper, I believe,” said Mrs. Underhill; “for the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous.  Is that a way you have any knowledge of, young lady?”

“Not much —­” said Elizabeth hesitating.

“’Siah says he ’spects you’re rich.”

“What makes him think so?”

“He says that’s what he ’spects.  Does the hull Shahweetah farm belong to you?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a good farm.  Who’s goin’ to take care of it for you?”

“I don’t know, yet.”

“I ‘spose you’ll be gettin’ married, one of these days, and then there’ll be some one to do it for you.  Be you handsome, particular, as ’Siah says?”