We went first to a little court, behind Bell Street.
There is only one house in the court, and it is known as "Th' Back Heawse." In this cottage the little house-things had escaped the ruin which I had witnessed in so many other places.

There were two small tables, and three chairs; and there were a few pots and a pan or two.

Upon the cornice there were two pot spaniels, and two painted stone apples; and, between them, there was a sailor waving a union jack, and a little pudgy pot man, for holding tobacco.

On the windowsill there was a musk-plant; and, upon the table by the staircase, there was a rude cage, containing three young throstles.
The place was tidy; and there was a kind-looking old couple inside.
The old man stood at the table in the middle of the floor, washing the pots, and the old woman was wiping them, and putting them away.
A little lad sat by the fire, thwittling at a piece of stick.

The old man spoke very few words the whole time we were there, but he kept smiling and going on with his washing.