“Yes, - I know she is, Caudle. And hasn’t she been six months - though I promised her not to tell you - six months working a watch-pocket for you! And with her eyes, dear soul - and at her time of life!
“And then what a cook she is! I’m sure the dishes she’ll make out of next to nothing! I try hard enough to follow her: but, I’m not ashamed to own it, Caudle, she quite beats me. Ha! the many nice little things she’d simmer up for you - and I can’t do it; the children, you know it, Caudle, take so much of my time. I can’t do it, love; and I often reproach myself that I can’t. Now, you shan’t go to sleep, Caudle; at least not for five minutes. You must hear me.
“I’ve been thinking, dearest - ha! that nasty cough, love! - I’ve been thinking, darling, if we could only persuade dear mother to come and live with us. Now, Caudle, you can’t be asleep; it’s impossible - you were coughing only this minute - yes, to live with us. What a treasure we should have in her! Then, Caudle, you never need go to bed without something nice and hot. And you want it, Caudle.
“You don’t want it?
“Nonsense, you do; for you’re not strong, Caudle; you know you’re not.
“I’m sure, the money she’d save us in housekeeping. Ha! what an eye she has for a joint! The butcher doesn’t walk that could deceive dear mother. And then, again, for poultry! What a finger and thumb she has for a chicken! I never could market like her: it’s a gift - quite a gift.
“And then you recollect her marrow-puddings?
“You don’t recollect ’em?
“Oh, fie! Caudle, how often have you flung her marrow puddings in my face, wanting to know why I couldn’t make ’em? And I wouldn’t pretend to do it after dear mother. I should think it presumption. Now, love, if she was only living with us - come, you’re not asleep, Caudle - if she was only living with us, you could have marrow puddings every day. Now, don’t fling yourself about and begin to swear at marrow puddings; you know you like ’em, dear.
“What a hand, too, dear mother has for a pie crust! But it’s born with some people. What do you say?