Thompson,
and she would be glad of a little money with him. But he cannot live
much longer, Stephen; he is very aged, and the doctor thinks he will
hardly get over the autumn. So we had better settle what shall be done
after grandfather is gone.'
'Sir,' said Stephen, 'I think Martha should have some good of
grandmother's work, if she is only a girl. So hadn't the rent better be
saved up for her till I'm old enough to come and manage the farm
myself?'
Every face in the room glowed with approbation of Stephen's suggestion;
and Martha flushed crimson at the very thought of possessing so much
money; and visions of future greatness, more than her grandmother had
foreseen, passed before her mind.
'Why, Martha will be quite an heiress!' said Mr. Lockwood. 'So she is
provided for, and grandfather. And what do you intend to do with
yourself, Stephen, till you come back here?'
'I'm strong enough to go back to the pit,' replied Stephen bravely,
though inwardly he shrank from it; but how else could the rent of Fern's
Hollow be laid by for Martha? 'Now Miss Anne has raised the wages, I
should get eight shillings a week, and more as I grow older.
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