So grandfather made no further demur, and Milly changed her Sunday gown for a work-a-day one, and went off on her errand of mercy accompanied by the nurse.
"That young Lummis is there dead asleep," nurse said as they went along. "Mind you don't wake him going upstairs; he's in the room opposite his mother's, you know. Not that you need be much afraid of disturbing him," she added--"they mostly sleep for hours when they come off work like that--but when you do hear him moving, you'd better slip down and get him a cup of tea ready and some cold meat and bread. I've seen to that; it's in the cupboard to the right of the stove. He should be at work again by seven."
"Very well," said Milly; "I'll see to it."
So when Geo woke out of his heavy sleep at six o'clock, he, through the open window, could hear the kettle singing on the little stove in the back-house below, and some one moving softly about. There was a comforting sound about it, and he stretched his long limbs luxuriously. Just then the church clock struck the half-hour. He raised himself with a yawn. "Half-past--what was it?" He reached out for the large silver watch that was in the pocket of his coat that hung over the chair. It was half-past six! He flung himself off the bed, dipped his head in a basin of cold water, rubbed it hard with a rough towel, washed his earth-stained hands, and strode across the little passage to his mother's room. She was sleeping peacefully, and he slipped quietly downstairs. Milly stood in the little kitchen, a kettle in her hand, and a tray with a white cloth stood on the table before her. Geo started with astonishment.
"I thought I should have to wake you at last!" she said shyly, as he took the kettle from her; "it was getting so late."
Geo did not answer very relevantly; he was still lost in astonishment.
"Have you done all this?" he said, pointing to the tray.
"No; nurse got it ready before she went. I am only making the tea."
"Well I take it very kind of you, miss," said Geo heartily. "P'raps you'll have a cup yourself?"
Milly was not sorry, and the two sat down in the little kitchen, which, though hot, was the coolest room in the house--the sun was on the other side. They looked out on a little garden to the meadows, in which the grass had begun to grow again. The sound of the running water seemed cool and inviting.