W. Pett Ridge

“ Wingham.
"And when your offspring, if I may use the expression, instead of being a 'elpmate and an assistance to you, turns out a disgrace to the family, and gets put away in a 'Ome, so that you 'ave to make up all sorts of tales to account for her being away, why—"
"Did my case get in the papers, mother?" interposed Mord Em'ly.
"Ma'am," said her mother to Mrs. Wingham, "I will be frank with you—it did not get into the papers, and thankful enough I was for it. ”

“ As I tell 'em, I'd much rather not punish; I'm far from being of a 'arsh nature, because I've 'ad me troubles, like other people, and they've taken all me temper out of me. You must know, ma'am, that I was in service at one time, and it was there I met my 'usband. He was a tallish man. Was your 'usband tall, I wonder, ma'am?"
"Mejum," said Mord Em'ly's mother shortly.
"And he 'ad a temper—well, it don't do to speak ill of the dead, but he certainly—"
"Mine," said Mord Em'ly's mother, "was just the opposite. A gentler and a kinder-be'aved man never breathed." ”

“ Wingham.
"The mere fact that I'm lonely and miserable without her, of course, won't 'ave no effect on her. The mere fact that I've had to get a canary bird just for the sake of 'aving somebody to talk matters over with, won't bring no pang of sorrow to her 'eart."
"Daughters are a bitter 'andful."
"You get no thanks," argued Mord Em'ly's mother; "that's what I complain of."
"Best not to expect any," advised Mrs. Wingham.
"What I should 'ave done if I'd had six or seven of 'em, like some 'ave," declared Mord Em'ly's mother, "’Eaven only knows."
"There's many worse off than us." ”