Page:Under the greenwood tree (1872 Volume 1).pdf/138

had been bound to use throughout the evening, and returning to the natural marriage voice; 'but lord, 'tis such a sight of heavy work next day! And what with the plates, and knives and forks, and bits kicked off your furniture, and I don't know what-all, why a body could a'most wish there were no such things as Christmases. Ah-h dear!' she yawned, till the clock in the corner had ticked several beats. She cast her eyes round upon the dust-laden furniture, and sank down overpowered at the sight.

'Well, I be getting all right by degrees, thank the Lord for't!' said the tranter cheerfully through a mangled mass of ham and bread, without lifting his eyes from his plate, and chopping away with his knife and fork as if he were felling trees. 'Ann, you may as well go on to bed at once, and not bide there making such sleepy faces;