"Beautiful red
gloves," she said, spreading out her fingers. "I had the chilblains bad,
so Mrs. Duke gave 'em to me. Beautiful red gloves!" She began cackling
to herself, staring hard at the children as she did so. She had brown,
staring eyes that looked very large and fierce in her thin face.
"Where's your nuss?" she asked, beginning to walk along by the side of
the children.
"Our what?" asked Dumpty, puzzled.
"She means nurse," said Humpty, with great emphasis. "Nan is ill with a
cold in her head," he explained, "and mum has just made her go to bed
and drink hot milk."
"I often see ye passin'," said Poor Jane conversationally.
"Yes," said Humpty, who was still holding his sister's hand tight, "we
often come this way for a walk, and we always see you."
"You always walk this way, don't you?" said Dumpty bravely, though she
still trembled with fright.
"Yes, I allus come along 'ere, every day, wet or fine."
"Why?" asked Humpty, who had an inquiring mind.
Then the old woman seized him by the arm. Humpty turned white with
terror, but his courage did not forsake him.
"Why?" he repeated boldly.
The old woman pinched his arm.
"Don't you know why I come here?" she asked, her voice getting shriller
and shriller; "don't you know why I walk up and down this road every
day, fine or wet, through snow and hail?" She lowered her voice
mysteriously, and clutched hold of Dumpty, who could not help shrieking.
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