But ’er’s old, mother, ’er’s twenty year

Older nor him—

—Ay, an’ yaller as a crowflower, an’ yet i’ the dark

Er’d do for Tim.

Tha niver believes it, mother, does ter?

It’s somebody’s lies.

—Ax him thy-sèn wench—a widder’s lodger;

It’s no surprise.

II

A widow of forty-five