“Well,” he resumed, “I’ve said it, an’ I’ll stick to it.  You’ll see, Margaret an’ me ‘ull be keeping coompany afore aught’s long, an’ Canon ‘ull be shoutin’ us at th’ end o’ th’ month.”

“Mon, you’re noan goin’ to wed sich an owd, tough, dried-up body as yon, for sure?” cried comfortable Mrs. Orme incredulously.  “Ye mun be a good ten or fifteen year younger nor her.”

“I didn’t say we’d go as fur as wedlock,” explained Ted, with a wicked leer.  “I said we’d be shouted.  Eh, theer’s mony a slip ‘twixt cup an’ lip, ye know.  Margaret an’ me ‘ull happen fall out afore weddin’ day cooms; but once Canon shouts us ye mun down wi’ your five shillin’s.”

“Ah, th’ marlock ’ull be cheap enough at five shillin’,” cried some jovial spirit.  “My word, I would laugh to hear the names called!  I reckon Canon hisself ’ud scarce keep a straight face.”

“Nay, but think of th’ poor wench,” cried Jack, with an explosion of mirth.  “Ted, it’s rale cruel o’ thee to play an innicent trustin’ lass sich a trick.”

“I reckon Margaret Hep. can take care of herself,” put in Mrs. Jack.  “Hoo can keep her e’en oppen as weel’s onybody.  I don’t know but what it ’ull be Ted as ‘ull ha’ to pay for th’ nine-gallon cask.  Ye’d best be savin’ up your brass, Ted, for we wunnot give no credit for ’t.”

With this professional sally she retired.  Thomas Alty, remarking in an undertone that his Betty would be coming to look for him if he didn’t make haste home, withdrew also, after a good-humoured nod to the friend who had treated him; for, as Mrs. Alty invariably impounded Tom’s wage, it was only when he met with a crony in a generous humour that he visited the Thornleigh Arms.

It was not till considerably later that Ted betook himself homewards; the plan which he had at first proposed out of a mere spirit of bravado having now, owing to the gibes of Jack and the rest, become a fixed resolution.

On the following afternoon, just at the time when young Thornleigh went a-coortin’, and elderly Thornleigh took off its boots and coat, or put a clean white handkerchief over its cap, the better to enjoy its Sabbath snooze in the ingle-nook, Ted Wharton cocked his hat over his eye, put a posy in his coat, and set off to call on Margaret Heptonstall.  He found that damsel engaged in neither of the avocations already stated, but, with her Sunday gown pinned behind her, and her week-day sun-bonnet hanging limply over her face, feeding her numerous family in the middle of her yard.

“Good day to ye, Miss Heptonstall,” remarked Ted, approaching with a jaunty air, “I thought I’d just call round to ax how Victoria finds hissel this morning.”

“Mich the same as us’al, thank ye,” replied Miss Hep. with a starched air.  “Get out o’ the road, Alice,” addressing an adventurous pullet.  “Thou’rt allus runnin’ under a body’s feet.  Chuck! chuck! chuck!  Coom G’arge, coom Adylaide, coom Maud!  Now then, Alexandra!  Chuck! chuck! coom lovies!  That theer vicious Frederick has been a-chivying of you till you’re freetened to death, you are.”