"Has ta met a fairy?" went on my mother. "For a month an' more tha's been mopin' an' turnin' thi nose up at good victuals an' comin' dalin o' a mornin' lookin' as if thi bed wer' made o' nettles i'stead o' honest feathers, as well aw know 'at plucked 'em, an' nivver a word nor a look for anyb'dy, an' wouldn't see th' doctor nor tak' th' herb-tea aw brewed thee, an' me thinkin' all th' time it wer' a tiff atween thee an' Ben, an' him lookin' waur nor a whipped cur, which it's to be hoped yo'll both learn more sense when yo'r well wed, for it'll be as th' man said 'Bear an' forbear' then or yo'll ha' a sorry time on it; an' now yo' set off wi'out a wi' yo'r leave or by yo'r leave an' come back fra goodness knows where lookin' as if yo'd been proved next o' kin to a fortin', which it's enough to make anyone think it wor all make believe, tho' me that anxious as aw sud be fit to shake yo' if so aw thowt." My mother paused to get breath. "I've summat to make me look cheerful," said Mary. "Yo' little know wheer I'n been this afternoon, an' who I've talked to and had a cup o' tea into th' bargain. Aw don't feel it's real yet. Nip me, Faith, to let me know if I'm dreamin!" "It's a dream we should like to share in," said Faith in her quiet way, taking my mother's hard, thin hand, much worn by work, and soothing it caressingly, a way she had that always ended by bringing a reposeful look upon that eager nervous face and made my mother declare Faith was as good as hops in your pillow for restfulness. "Well aw suppose I'st ha' to begin at th' beginnin'," said Mary, settling herself for a long talk and smiling into the fire. My father filled another pipe, and my mother let her ball of wool roll upon the floor so as to have a long reach of work before her. "Yo' maybe hannot guessed at Ben Walker wanted me to wed him." "What Ben o' Buck's o' th' Brigg? Him as turned informer?" asked my father, letting his pipe out in his amaze. Mary nodded. "That comes o' thi flighty ways," commented my mother with severity. "If a lass dunnot keep hersen to hersen, but will ha' a nod for this an' a smile for that an' a joke for t' other, she may know what to expec'. There wor a differ between decent gells an' hussies when aw wer' young, but if there's ony now it's all i' favour o' th' hussies." Mary flushed angrily. "Nay, nay, Charlotte, yo' dunnot mean that for yar Mary, aw know," said my father. "Go on wi' thi tale, lass. Thi aunt's put out a bit, these days." "Well he did," continued Mary, "and of course aw'd his answer ready for him." "Aw shud think so indeed. It was well for him aw didn't catch 'im at it. What did ta say, Mary?" "Nay, aunt, yo' wouldn't ha' me cumber mi mind wi' such trash. Any road aw sent 'im packin'. Then, about a three week sin', his owd mother sent for me." "Did 'oo send a broom for thee to ride on, th' owd witch," put in the tireless tongue, more by way of expressing an opinion of Ben Walker's mother than a question.