'E come whoam a Wednesday night, Alfred did. But
ay, you knowed, didna yer. Ay, 'e comed 'a Wednesday--an' I reckon there
wor a bit of a to-do between 'em, worn't there, Maggie?'
He twinkled maliciously to his daughter-in-law, who was flushed,
brilliant and handsome.
'Oh, be quiet, father. You're wound up, by the sound of you,' she said to
him, as if crossly. But she could never be cross with him.
''Ers got 'er colour back this mornin',' continued the father-in-law
slowly. 'It's bin heavy weather wi' 'er this last two days. Ay--'er's bin
northeast sin 'er seed you a Wednesday.'
'Father, do stop talking. You'd wear the leg off an iron pot. I can't
think where you've found your tongue, all of a sudden,' said Maggie, with
caressive sharpness.
'Ah've found it wheer I lost it. Aren't goin' ter come in an' sit thee
down, Alfred?'
But Alfred turned and disappeared.
''E's got th' monkey on 'is back ower this letter job,' said the father
secretly to me. 'Mother, 'er knows nowt about it. Lot o' tom-foolery,
isn't it? Ay! What's good o' makkin' a peck o' trouble over what's far
enough off, an' ned niver come no nigher. No--not a smite o' use. That's
what I tell 'er. 'Er should ta'e no notice on't. Ty, what can y' expect.'
The mother came in again, and the talk became general. Maggie flashed her
eyes at me from time to time, complacent and satisfied, moving among the
men.
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