There has been a great dale o' wet this long time." "There, has," replied my friend; "but how have ye been getting on since I called before ?" "Well," said the old woman, sitting down, "things is quare with us as ever they can be, an' that you know very well." There was a young woman reared against the table by the window.

My friend turned towards her, and said, "Well, and how does the Indian meal agree with you ?" The young woman blushed, and smiled, but said nothing; but the old woman turned sharply round and replied, "Well, now, it is better nor starvation; it is chape, an' it fills up--an' that's all." "Is your son working ?" inquired my friend.

"Troth, he is," replied she.

"He does be gettin' a day now an' again at the breek- croft in Ribbleton Lone.

Faith, it is time he did somethin', too, for he was nine months out o' work entirely.