Polly Patch came in at that moment.
"All be ready, mistress," she said in a slow voice, solemnly nodding her enormous mobcap while she spoke.
"Now Polly," said Mrs. Tabrum, "lend a hand wi' this table and lets put 'un a thought nearer to the fire. Ugh! how it blows!" A vivid flash of lightning illuminated the room, and on the heels of a terrifick roar of thunder there was a cry of 'House! House!'
"Hurry, hurry, my daisies, and make who comes there welcome. Jacob! Jacob!" cried the old landlord as, much excited, he rose from his seat in the ingle and quavered towards the taproom.
"You are sure the candles are lighted, Polly?"
"Sarten, mistress."
"And the logs burning brightly?"
"'Ess mistress."
"And the curtains pinned together?"
"'Ess mistress."