Won't you come in and have a chair ?" There were no signs of decrepitude about her, and she had a cheery old eye.

The tiny front room was neat, though there was scarcely space enough in it to contain the table covered with its blue-checked cotton cloth, the narrow sofa, and two or three chairs.

There were a few small coloured prints, and a framed photograph or so on the walls, and on the table was a Bible, and a brown earthenware teapot, and a plate.
"Tom Wood's wife, that's neighbour next door to me," she said, "gave me a pinch o' tea--an' I've just been 'avin it.

Tom Woods, miss, 'as just been took on by Muster Kedgers as one of the new under gardeners at the Court." Betty found her delightful.

She made no complaints, and was evidently pleased with the excitement of receiving a visitor.