To think o' yon ship come in at last! And if yo'd been down seeing all t' folk looking and looking their eyes out, as if they feared they should die afore she came in and brought home the lads they loved, yo'd ha' shaken hands wi' that lass too, and no great harm done.

I never set eyne upon her till half an hour ago on th' staithes, and maybe I'll niver see her again.' Hester was still behind the counter, but had moved so as to be near the window; so she heard what they were saying, and now put in her word: 'She can't be altogether bad, for she thought o' telling her mother first thing, according to what she said.' Sylvia gave Hester a quick, grateful look.

But Hester had resumed her gaze out of the window, and did not see the glance.
And now Molly Corney joined them, hastily bursting into the shop.
'Hech!' said she.

'Hearken! how they're crying and shouting down on t' quay.

T' gang's among 'em like t' day of judgment.