"That's the nicest thing ever I had said to me in me life," she said softly. "I will try, Missus—like fury. An' there's another thing; on'y it's givin' you a lot of bother——"
"Rubbish!" said Aileen, laughing. "What is it, 'Possum, dear?"
But this was harder to say. 'Possum made several false starts before the words came at last.
"It's—well, you know, I know I speak jolly rough. Since you come I have tried to keep me voice softer——"
"I know," Aileen said.
"Did you? I'm so glad. But I make awful mistakes, I know. Even the kids tell me that—they've had more schoolin'. But the trouble is, they pick up things from me. If you could just drop on me now an' then when I say anything all wrong? I know I ain't got enough grammar to keep meself warm. But I'd try an' get better. I truly would."
"And you wouldn't mind being told little things? They're such little things, really, 'Possum."
"Mind?" said 'Possum. "Oh, I'd give me ears if you'd teach me. Like as if I was Garth I've heard you tell him when he pernounced a word skew-whiff!"
"Then I will tell you," Aileen said. "I know you'll make it easy for me—because I will be dreadfully afraid of hurting you, 'Possum."
"Lor'!" said 'Possum. "You couldn't hurt me, not if you tried with a meat-axe!"