J. S. Fletcher

“ I ain't at all comfortable in my mind about that there young Jezebel at the Dower House—deal too much mystery and queer goings-on about she to suit my disposition. Knowed her ever since she was the height o' sixpennorth o' copper, I have, and never knew her to do nothing but mischief. ”

“ I should be glad to know a lot more."
"But you'm what I do say, hain't you, mister?" suggested Bob Gravus. "I hear you was, anyway."
"Well, you can take it I am," admitted Blick. "But I can't see through a brick wall, any more than you can!"
"'Tis a true saying, that!" remarked one of the company, solemnly. "Faith, yes, the powers of mortal man be terrible limited, as you med say. Things there is as man that is born of a woman can do, and things there is as he cannot do. And there ain't never been a man so fur as I knows on us could see through a brick wall. ”

“ Never another, says I, when I covers her in—third time, says I, pays for all! They was tur'ble old toads, all three on 'em, and I fare to do deal better as a widow-man. If you ain't a wed man, don't 'ee ever go for to be one, my dear—'tain't wuth it!"
"I'll bear your advice in mind," said Blick. "You've evidently tried it pretty well. But I say—what woman do you think's at the bottom of this affair?" ”

“ There was a look of invitation in Benny's eye, and Blick sat down by him.
"Taking a bit of rest from your Sunday labours, eh?" he said. "Nice spot to smoke your pipe in, this."
"Custom o' mine," answered Benny. "I do allays smoke a pipe or two o' bacca here of a Sunday arternoon, year in, year out—wet or fine. I do keep that up. If 'tis fine weather, along o' this ancient stone bench; if so be as 'tis wet, under that there lych-gate. And while I smokes, I meditates."
"On what?" asked Blick. ”