“Coourse ’t is! I thought that out specially. Doan’t go thrawin’ me from my stride in the middle. Arter ‘Sheffield make,’ ‘half-dozen knives and forks; sundry ditto, not so good; hand saw; 2 hammers; 1 cleaver; salting trendle; 3 wheelbarrows—’”
“Doan’t forget you lent wan of ’em to Farmer Thackwell.”
“No, I gived it to un, him bein’ pushed for need of wan. It slipped my memory. ‘2 wheelbarrows.’ Then I goes on, ‘pig stock; pig trough; 2 young breeding sows; 4 garden tools; 2 peat cutters; 2 carts; 1 market trap; 1 empty cask; 1 Dutch oven; 1 funnel; 2 firkins and a cider jib; small sieve; 3 pairs new Bedford harrows; 1 chain harrow (out of repair).’ You see all’s straight enough, which it ban’t in some sales. No man shall say he’s got less than full value.”
“You’m the last to think of such a thing.”
“I am. It goes on like this: ‘5 mattocks; 4 digging picks; 4 head chains; 1 axe; sledge and wedges; also hooks, eyes, and hasps for hard wood.’ Never used ’em all the time us been here. ‘2 sets of trap harness, much worn.’ I ban’t gwaine to sell the dogs—eh? Us won’t sell Ship or your li’l terrier. What do ’e say?”
“No. Nobody would buy two auld dogs, for that matter.”
“Though how a upland dog like Ship be gwaine to faace the fiery sunshine on furrin gawld diggings, I caan’t answer. Here goes again: ‘1 sofa; 1 armchair; 4 fine chairs with green cloth seats; 1 bedstead; 2 cots; 1 cradle; feather beds and palliasses and bolster pillows to match; wash-stands and sets of crockery, mostly complete; 2 swing glasses; 3 bedroom chairs; 1 set of breeching harness—’”
“Hadn’t ’e better put that away from the furniture?”
“No gert odds. ‘Also 1 set leading harness; 2 tressels and ironing board; 2 fenders; fire-irons and fire-dogs; 1 old oak chest; 1 wardrobe; 1 Brussels carpet (worn in 1 spot only)—’”
“Ban’t worn worth namin’.”