We were wanting our breakfasts, and so were it too,
motherless babby! We could see no public-houses, so about six
o'clock (only we thought it were later) we stopped at a cottage,
where a woman were moving about near th' open door. Says I, 'Good
woman, may we rest us a bit?' 'Come in,' says she, wiping a chair,
as looked bright enough afore, wi' her apron. It were a cheery,
clean room; and we were glad to sit down again, though I thought my
legs would never bend at th' knees. In a minute she fell a noticing
th' babby, and took it in her arms, and kissed it again and again.
'Missis,' says I, 'we're not without money and if yo'd give us
somewhat for breakfast, we'd pay yo honest, and if yo would wash and
dress that poor babby, and get some pobbies down its throat, for
it's well-nigh clemmed, I'd pray for you till my dying day.' So she
said nought but gived me th' babby back, and afore you could say
Jack Robinson, she'd a pan on th' fire, and bread and cheese on th'
table. When she turned round, her face looked red, and her lips
were tight pressed together.
Pages:
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230