"That's bad."
"No, it ain't. I expected to be worse. Very soon I shall be lying along o' Mother. She suffered wi' her innards, pore soul, just as I do."
"She got comfort out of it, too, just as you do, dear. Sit you down, and let's hear the news."
Jane Mucklow sighed, and sat down. Unlike her sister-in-law, she strayed daily into the cottages of her neighbours, picking up gossip, and repeating it with embellishments of her own. As she removed white cotton gloves, she said sharply:
"I want your news first, Susan."
"But I haven't any, Jane; nothing, that is to say, which you don't well know already."
"Maybe. But I wanted it from your own lips."
"Bless the woman! Whatever do 'ee want?"
"What you prides yourself on giving—information. Don't sit there so genteel, and pretend to me that you don't know what your Alferd be up to this very minute!"
"I don't—and nor do you."