Page:Under the greenwood tree (1872 Volume 1).pdf/201

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
RETURNING HOMEWARD.
187

was saying was our Dick's sweetheart, but I suppose can't be, and making much of her in the sight of the congregation, and thinking he'll win her by showing her off; well, perhaps 'a will.'

'Then the music is second to the woman, the other churchwarden is second to Shinar, the pa'son is second to the churchwardens, and God A'mighty is nowhere at all.'

'That's true; and you see,' continued Reuben, 'at the very beginning it put me in a stud as to how to quarrel wi' en. In short, to save my soul, I couldn't quarrel wi' such a civil man without belying my conscience. Says he to father there, in a voice as quiet as a lamb's, "William, you are a old aged man, William, as all shall be," says he, "and sit down in my easy-chair, and rest yourself." And down father set. I could fain ha' laughed at thee, father; for thou'st take it

This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.