But, in two or three cases, little snatches of conversation, uttered by them as they went by, plainly told that, so far as the speakers went, it was so; and, at last, a little thing befell, which, I am sure, represented the condition of many a thousand more in Lancashire just now.

Three young women stopped on the footpath in front of the inn, close to the place where we stood, and began to talk together in a very free, open way, quite careless of being overheard.

One of them was a stout, handsome young woman, about twenty-three.

Her dress was of light printed stuff, clean and good.

Her round, ruddy arms, her clear blond complexion, and the bright expression of her full open countenance, all indicated health and good-nature.