'She's come back airly, and she's brought good news o' t' others, as I've heered say.

Time was I should ha' been on th' staithes throwing up my cap wit' t' best on 'em; but now it pleases t' Lord to keep me at home, and set me to mind other folks' gear.
See thee, wench, there's a vast o' folk ha' left their skeps o' things wi' me while they're away down to t' quay side.

Leave me your eggs and be off wi' ye for t' see t' fun, for mebbe ye'll live to be palsied yet, and then ye'll be fretting ower spilt milk, and that ye didn't tak' all chances when ye was young.

Ay, well! they're out o' hearin' o' my moralities; I'd better find a lamiter like mysen to preach to, for it's not iverybody has t' luck t' clargy has of saying their say out whether folks likes it or not.' He put the baskets carefully away with much of such talk as this addressed to himself while he did so.

Then he sighed once or twice; and then he took the better course and began to sing over his tarry work.
Molly and Sylvia were far along the staithes by the time he got to this point of cheerfulness.