"Caan't be so hot as that! The li'l gal will never stand it. Read on now. Theer ban't much left, surely?" "Scores o' things! '1 stuffed kingfisher in good case with painted picture at back; 1 fox mask; 1 mahogany 2-lap table; 1 warming-pan; Britannia metal teapot and 6 spoons ditto metal; 5 spoons--smaller--ditto metal.'" "I found the one us lost." "Then 'tis '6 spoons--smaller--ditto metal.' Then, 'ironing stove; 5 irons; washing boiler; 4 fry pans; 2 chimney crooks; 6 saucepans; pestle and mortar; chimney ornaments; 4 coloured almanacs--one with picture of the Queen--'" "They won't fetch nothin'." "They might. 'Knife sharper; screen; pot plants; 1 towel-rail; 1 runner; 2 forms; kitchen table; scales and weights and beam; 1 set of casters; 4 farm horses, aged; 3 ploughs; 1 hay wain; 1 stack of dry fern; 1-1/2 tons good manure; old iron and other sundries, including poultry, ducks, geese, and fowls.' That's all." "Not quite; but I caan't call to mind much you've left out 'cept all the china an' linen." "Ah! that's your job. An' I just sit here an' brought the things to my memory, wan by wan! An' that bit at the top came easy as cutting a stick!" "'Tis a wonnerful piece o' work! An' the piano, Will?" "I hadn't forgot that. Must take it along wi' us, or else send it down to mother. Couldn't look her in the faace if I sold that." "Ban't worth much." "Caan't say. Cost faither five pound, though that was long ago. Anyway I be gwaine to buy it in." Silence then fell upon them. Phoebe sighed and shivered. A cock crew and his note came muffled from the hen-roost. A dim grey dawn just served to indicate the recumbent carcasses without. "Come to bed now an' take a little rest 'fore marnin', dearie. You've worked hard an' done wonders." "Ban't you surprised I could turn it out?" "That I be. I'd never have thought 'twas in 'e. So forehanded, tu! A'most afore them poor things be cold." "'Tis the forehandedness I prides myself 'pon. Some of us doan't know all that's in me yet. But they'll live to see it." "I knaw right well they will." "This'll 'maze mother to-morrow." "'Twill, sure 'nough." "Would 'e like me to read it just wance more wi'out stoppin', Phoebe?" "No, dear love, not now. Give it to us all arter breakfast in the marnin'." "So I will then; an' take it right away to the auctioneer the minute after." He put his papers away in the drawer of the kitchen table and retired. Uneasy sleep presently overtook him and long he tossed and turned, murmuring of his astonishment at his own powers with a pen.