"What ?" said he, "my lasses! can't ye spare God a slice out of his own day ?" "Nay, it is not that, father." The old man continued his remonstrance.

"To be sure our Jael is a cordial.

But she'll dine and sup with us.

Take my word for 't, all lawful pleasures are sweeter on the Lord's day after a bit o' church." "And so they are, father; but dear heart! to think of you forgetting.
Will nobody tell him?
They're sworn to give me a red face, Jael and all." This piteous appeal set Jael's wits working.

"Eh, father, it will be the first of her bans!" "Is it me you are asking such a question ?" cried Patty, and turned her head away with absurd mock-modesty.
"And so 'tis," said Dence; "ah, that is a different thing." Henry thought that was no reason for Patty's staying at home; she ought rather to go and hear the bans were cried all right.
At this proposal both sisters lifted up their hands, and he was remonstrated with, and lectured, and at last informed that, if a girl was in church when her bans were cried, her children would be all born deaf and dumb.
"Oh, indeed!" said Little, satirically.