Ah! old John made a great mistake in his way of acting by that lad--a great mistake .-- Have you nearly tied that sash, my dear ?' What an ill-made sash it was! There it was, loose again and trailing on the ground.

Dolly was obliged to kneel down, and recommence at the beginning.
'Never mind young Willet, Varden,' said his wife frowning; 'you might find some one more deserving to talk about, I think.' Miss Miggs gave a great sniff to the same effect.
'Nay, Martha,' cried the locksmith, 'don't let us bear too hard upon him.

If the lad is dead indeed, we'll deal kindly by his memory.' 'A runaway and a vagabond!' said Mrs Varden.
Miss Miggs expressed her concurrence as before.
'A runaway, my dear, but not a vagabond,' returned the locksmith in a gentle tone.

'He behaved himself well, did Joe--always--and was a handsome, manly fellow.

Don't call him a vagabond, Martha.' Mrs Varden coughed--and so did Miggs.
'He tried hard to gain your good opinion, Martha, I can tell you,' said the locksmith smiling, and stroking his chin.