“Hey, hey, old friend. I’ll put him to rights for you. I have his size,” said Natty, glancing along the rows of ready made shoes, “and I’ll fit him in a twinkling. But what will you give me for my news this morning?”
“Why, ah deean’t knoa. It mebbe isn’t worth mitch.”
“Hey, but it is. It’s news ’at ’ll warm your heart, or I’m a Dutchman.”
“What, hez Black Morris turned up? Or is t’ young squire better?”
Nathan Blyth’s face clouded a moment, as he said, “I’m sorry to say I’ve nought so good to say of either. Still it’s good news.”
“Oot wiv it, then. ‘Bad news’ll keep, let good news peep.’ Why, you deean’t meean te say t’ squire’s gi’en us a bit o’ land?”
“No,” said Natty, “you’ll have to wait a bit longer for that miracle to come to pass. But I’ve a miracle to tell you that’s almost as big. We’ve gotten another place to hold service in, an’ it’s best place in all the neighbourhood.”
“Prayse the Lord. He nivver was woss then His wod yit. Wheer is it?”
“Why, it’s in Midden Harbour!” said Nathan, whose eyes were twinkling with delight.