I wonder Diggs has the face to be selling still at nine-pence,
and so very green! I think I see Dame Toddles; how wonderful
she do wear! What are you doing here, little dear; very young
to fetch tommy; keeping place for mother, eh! that's a good
girl; she'd do well to be here soon, for I think the strike's
on eight. Diggs is sticking it on yellow soap very terrible.
What do you think--Ah! the doors are going to open. No--a
false alarm."
"How fare you neighbour?" said a pale young woman carrying an
infant to the comely dame. "Here's an awful crowd, surely.
The women will be fighting and tearing to get in, I guess. I
be much afeard."
"Well, 'first come, first served,' all the world over," said
the comely dame. "And you must put a good heart on the
business and tie your bonnet. I dare guess there are not much
less than two hundred here. It's grand tommy day you know.
And for my part I don't care so much for a good squeedge; one
sees so many faces one knows."
"The cheese here at sixpence is pretty tidy," said a crone to
her companion; "but you may get as good in town for
fourpence."
"What I complain is the weights," replied her companion. "I
weighed my pound of butter bought last tommy day, and it was
two penny pieces too light.
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