I was just a-thinkin' whether I hadn't better begin too--'specially as there was a wery nice lady a-sittin' next me--ven in comes the tea, and your mother-in-law, as had been makin' the kettle bile downstairs.

At it they went, tooth and nail.

Such a precious loud hymn, Sammy, while the tea was a brewing; such a grace, such eatin' and drinkin'! I wish you could ha' seen the shepherd walkin' into the ham and muffins.

I never see such a chap to eat and drink--never.

The red-nosed man warn't by no means the sort of person you'd like to grub by contract, but he was nothin' to the shepherd.
Well; arter the tea was over, they sang another hymn, and then the shepherd began to preach: and wery well he did it, considerin' how heavy them muffins must have lied on his chest.