It gets yer through, anyway." "Well, it wor a good word," said Mrs.Patton, blushing and mildly defending herself.

"It didn't do none of yer any harm." "Oh, an' before her, miss, I went to a school to another woman, as lived up Shepherd's Row.

You remember her, Betsy Brunt ?" Mrs.Brunt's worn eyes began already to gleam and sparkle.
"Yis, I recolleck very well, Mrs.Jellison.She wor Mercy Moss, an' a goodish deal of trouble you'd use to get me into wi' Mercy Moss, all along o' your tricks." Mrs.Jellison, still with folded arms, began to rock herself gently up and down as though to stimulate memory.
"My word, but Muster Maurice--he wor the clergyman here then, miss--wor set on Mercy Moss.

He and his wife they flattered and cockered her up.
Ther wor nobody like her for keepin' school, not in their eyes--till one midsummer--she--well she--I don't want to say nothink onpleasant--_but she transgressed_," said Mrs.Jellison, nodding mysteriously, triumphant however in the unimpeachable delicacy of her language, and looking round the circle for approval.
"What do you say ?" asked Marcella, innocently.

"What did Mercy Moss do ?" Mrs.Jellison's eyes danced with malice and mischief, but her mouth shut like a vice.