Men have plenty to say to men, which in their estimation (gained from tradition and experience) women cannot understand; and farmers of a much later date than the one of which I am writing, would have contemptuously considered it as a loss of time to talk to women; indeed, they were often more communicative to the sheep-dog that accompanied them through all the day's work, and frequently became a sort of dumb confidant.

Farmer Robson's Lassie now lay down at her master's feet, placed her nose between her paws, and watched with attentive eyes the preparations going on for refreshments--preparations which, to the disappointment of her canine heart, consisted entirely of tumblers and sugar.
'Where's t' wench ?' said Robson, after he had shaken hands with Kinraid, and spoken a few words to him and to Mrs.Corney.

'She's getten' a basket wi' sausages in 'em, as my missus has made, and she's a rare hand at sausages; there's noane like her in a' t' three Ridings, I'll be bound!' For Daniel could praise his wife's powers in her absence, though he did not often express himself in an appreciative manner when she was by to hear.

But Sylvia's quick sense caught up the manner in which Mrs.Corney would apply the way in which her mother's housewifery had been exalted, and stepping forwards out of the shadow, she said,-- 'Mother thought, maybe, you hadn't killed a pig yet, and sausages is always a bit savoury for any one who is na' well, and----' She might have gone on but that she caught Kinraid's eyes looking at her with kindly admiration.

She stopped speaking, and Mrs.Corney took up the word-- 'As for sausages, I ha' niver had a chance this year, else I stand again any one for t' making of 'em.