Nicholas had arranged to visit her that day a little later than usual, and see that everything was ready with her for the morrow's event and her removal to his house; for he had begun to look after her domestic affairs, and to lighten as much as possible the duties of her housekeeping.
He was to come to an early supper, which she had arranged to take the place of a wedding-breakfast next day--the latter not being feasible in her present situation.

An hour or so after dark the wife of the farmer who lived in the other part of the house entered Christine's parlour to lay the cloth.
'What with getting the ham skinned, and the black-puddings hotted up,' she said, 'it will take me all my time before he's here, if I begin this minute.' 'I'll lay the table myself,' said Christine, jumping up.

'Do you attend to the cooking.' 'Thank you, ma'am.

And perhaps 'tis no matter, seeing that it is the last night you'll have to do such work.

I knew this sort of life wouldn't last long for 'ee, being born to better things.' 'It has lasted rather long, Mrs.Wake.