"He likes to see
us getting wet through."
"If they would only let us into the yard and get under one of
the workshop sheds, as they do at Simmon's," said another.
"You may well say Simmon's, Mrs Page; I only wish my master
served in his field."
"I have been here since half-past four, Mrs Grigsby, with this
chilt at my breast all the time. It's three miles for me
here, and the same back, and unless I get the first turn, how
are my poor boys to find their dinner ready when they come out
of the pit?"
"A very true word, Mrs Page; and by this token, that last
Thursday I was here by half-past eleven, certainly afore noon,
having only called at my mother-in-law's in the way, and it
was eight o'clock before I got home. Ah! it's cruel work, is
the tommy shop."
"How d'ye do neighbour Prance?" said a comely dame with a
large white basket, "And how's your good man? They was saying
at Belfy's he had changed his service. I hear there's a new
butty in Mr Parker's field; but the old doggy kept on; so I
always thought, he was always a favourite, and they do say
measured the stints very fair. And what do you hear bacon is
in town? They do tell me only sixpence and real home-cured.
Pages:
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279