"Aren't married, are you, my dear? Mr. Ruan ded say 'Miss Parminter' to
I when he came about the rooms."
"No, I'm not married."
"And why's that?" demanded the direct Mrs. Penticost. "Not because they haven't asked 'ee, I'll lay. Couldn't 'ee fancy none of en, my dear sawl?"
"Not enough for that, apparently."
"I used to think you and that Killigrew weth his red head and his free tongue would make a match of it, but I suppose it was not to be…. Never mind, my dear. We never goes to church weth the first one as takes our fancy."
"Oh, I shall never marry!" declared Judith lightly. "By the way, I hear
Mr. Ruan has a beautiful boy, Mrs. Penticost."
"Aw, dear sawl, so he have. Best thing that flighty little faggot to the mill ever ded was to make that babe. Children's a deal of trouble, though, so they are. Some has boys and wants maids, and some has only maids and provokes the Lard to send en boys, as though there weren't enough men in the world. No pleasing some folks."
"They're a trouble that's well worth while, anyway. Children, I mean," said Judith.
"Ah! so some of us says as hasn't got en. We can all stand any joys that come along, but we'd all like to have the choosen' of our troubles," replied Mrs. Penticost non-committally.
"I certainly think children must be the nicest troubles one can choose," remarked Judith.