But--" "Then you can say what errand you had there; what business took you to it," continued Mr.Verner.
"It was no harm took me, sir.

I went to get a dish o' tea with Martha Broom.

Many's the time she have asked me since Christmas; and my husband, he was out with the Dawsons and all that bother; and Luke, he's gone, and there was nothing to keep me at home.

I changed my gownd and I went." "What time was that ?" "'Twas the middle o' the afternoon, sir.

The clock had gone three." "Did you stay tea there ?" "In course, sir, I did.