It was all over and done with years ago.
Jabez Gum's wife--to whom you will shortly have the honour of an introduction, but she is in her bedroom just now--had borne him one child, and only one.

How this boy was loved, how tenderly reared, let Calne tell you.

Mrs.Gum had to endure no inconsiderable amount of ridicule at the time from her gossiping friends, who gave Willy sundry endearing names, applied in derision.

Certainly, if any mother ever was bound up in a child, Mrs.Gum was in hers.

The boy was well brought up.