"Silks ain't for the like of us; I'd never have the cheek to put one on," cried a voice that I knew at once for shrill Peggy Dickon's. Next to her stood Ann Dovey, the blacksmith's wife; who was very pretty, and vain accordingly. "What kind o' stuff d'ye call this, master?" Ann Dovey asked. "That's called laine," answered Jellico. "It's all pure wool." "It's a'most as shiny as silk. I say, Mrs. Reed, d'ye think this 'ud wear?" "It would wear for ever," put in Jellico. "Ten yards of it would make as good a gown as ever went on a lady's back; and the cost is but two shillings a yard." "Two shillings! Let's see--what 'ud that come to? Why, twenty, wouldn't it? My patience, I shouldn't never dare to run up that score for one gownd." Jellico laughed pleasantly. "You take it, Mrs. Dovey. It just suits your bright cheeks. Pay me when you can, and how you can: sixpence a-week, or a shilling a-week, or two shillings, as you can make it easy. It's like getting a gown for nothing." "So it is," cried Ann Dovey, in a glow of delight. And by the tone, Mr. Jellico no doubt knew that she had as good as yielded to the temptation. He got out his yard measure. "Ten yards?" said he. "I'm a'most afeard. Will you promise, sir, not to bother me for the money faster than I can pay it?" "You needn't fear no bothering from me; only just keep up the trifle you've got to pay off weekly." He measured off the necessary length. "You'll want some ribbon to trim it with, won't you?" said he. "Ribbin--well, I dun know. Dovey might say ribbin were too smart for me." "Not a bit on't, Ann Dovey," spoke up another woman--and _she_ was our carter's wife, Susan Potter. "It wouldn't look nothing without some ribbin. That there narrer grass-green satin 'ud be nice upon't." "And that grass-green ribbon's dirt cheap," said Jellico. "You'd get four or five yards of it for a shilling or two. Won't _you_ be tempted now?" he added to Susan Potter. She laughed. "Not with them things. I shouldn't never hear the last on't if Potter found out I went on tick for finery. He's rough, sir, and might beat me. I'd like a check apron, and a yard o' calico." "Perhaps I might take a apron or two, sir, if you made it easy," said Mrs. Dickon. "Of course I'll make it easy; and a gown too if you'll have it. Let me cut you off the fellow to this of Mrs. Dovey's." Peggy Dickon shook her head. "It ain't o' no good asking me, Mr. Jellico. Ann Dovey can buy gownds; she haven't got no children; I've a bushel on 'em. No; I don't dare. I wish I might! Last year, up at Cookhill Wake, I see a sweet gownd, not unlike this, what had got green ribbins upon it," added the woman longingly.