The fire was always kept up to a wasteful size, and the dancing blaze and the partial light of candles left much in shadow that was best ignored in such a disorderly family.

But there was always a warm welcome to friends, however roughly given; and after the words of this were spoken, the next rose up equally naturally in the mind of Mrs Corney.
'And what will ye tak'?
Eh! but t' measter 'll be fine and vexed at your comin' when he's away.

He's off to Horncastle t' sell some colts, and he'll not be back till to-morrow's neet.

But here's Charley Kinraid as we've getten to nurse up a bit, and' t' lads 'll be back fra' Monkshaven in a crack o' no time.' All this was addressed to Daniel, to whom she knew that none but masculine company would be acceptable.

Amongst uneducated people--whose range of subjects and interest do not extend beyond their daily life--it is natural that when the first blush and hurry of youth is over, there should be no great pleasure in the conversation of the other sex.