JACK AND JILL GO DOWN THE GILL Upon a little beck that runs away into the Lune, which is a tributary of the Tees, there stood at this time a small square house of gray stone, partly greened with moss, or patched with drip, and opening to the sun with small dark windows.

It looked as if it never could be warm inside, by sunshine or by fire-glow, and cared not, although it was the only house for miles, whether it were peopled or stood empty.

But this cold, hard-looking place just now was the home of some hot and passionate hearts.
The people were poor; and how they made their living would have been a mystery to their neighbors, if there had been any.

They rented no land, and they followed no trade, and they took no alms by land or post; for the begging-letter system was not yet invented.

For the house itself they paid a small rent, which Jordas received on behalf of his ladies, and always found it ready; and that being so, he had nothing more to ask, and never meddled with them.