said Mrs. Bumpkin; "nor yet for the sheep. He have had
six sheep."

"Zo I zee; and where be th' heifers? we had six."

"They be all sold, Tom."

"And how much did 'em fetch?"

"The man ain't brought in the account yet, Tom; but I spect we shall have
un soon."

"Why," said Mr. Bumpkin, looking at the stackyard, "another rick be
gone!"

"Yes, Tom, it be gone, and fine good hay it wur; it cut out as well as
any hay I ever zeed."

"Sure did ur!" answered Tom; "it were the six ak'r o' clover, and were
got up wirout a drop o' rain on un; it wur prime hay, thic. Why, I wur
offered six pun' a looad for un."

"I don'ow what ur fetched, Tom; but I be mighty troubled about this 'ere
lawsuit. I wish we'd never 'a had un."

"Doan't say thic, Nancy; we be bound to bring un. As Laryer Prigg say,
it bean't so much t' pig--"

"No, Tom, thee said un fust."

"Well, s'poase I did--so ur did, and it worn't so much t' pig, it wur
thic feller's cheek."

"Well, I don't know nothing about un; I dissay you be right, because
you've allays been right, Tom; and we've allays got on well togither
these five and thirty year: but, some'ow, Tom--down, Tim!--down, Tim!"

"Poor old Tim!" said Tom. "Good boy! I wish men wur as good as dogs
be."

"Some'ow," continued Mrs. Bumpkin, "I doan't like that 'aire Prigg; he
seem to shake his head too much for I; and 'olds his 'at up to his face
too long in church when ur goes in; and then ur shakes his head so much
when ur prays. I don't like un, Tom."

"Now, Nancy, thee knows nothing about un. I can tell 'ee he be a rare
good man, and sich a clever lawyer, he'll knock that 'aire Snooks out o'
time. But, come on, let's goo in and 'ave some ta."

So they went in. And a very comfortable tea there was set out on the old
oak table in front of the large fireplace where the dog-irons were. And
a bright, blazing log there was on the hearth; for a cold east wind was
blowing, notwithstanding that the sun had shone out bravely in the day.
Ah! how glad Tom was to see the bright pewter plates and dishes ranged in
rows all round the homely kitchen! They seemed to smile a welcome on the
master; and one very large family sort of dish seemed to go out of his
way to give him welcome. I believe he tumbled down in his enthusiasm at
Tom's return, although it was accounted for by saying that Tim had done
it by the excessive "waggling" of his tail. I believe that dish fell
down in the name of all the