"'Oh, oh!' says she. 'I can't stand it no more.'
"'Mary, dear,' says he, 'there's no value in grievin' so sore over what can't be helped. Give it over, dear, an' be happy again, like you used t' be, won't you? Ah, now, Mary, won't you jus' try?'
"'I'm ashamed!'
"'Ashamed?' says he. 'You, Mary? Why, what's all this? There never was a woman so dear an' true as you.'
"'A childless woman! They mock me.'
"''Tis not true,' says he. 'They——'
"'Ay, 'tis true. They laugh. They whispers when I pass. I've heard un.'
"''Tis not true, at all,' says he. 'They loves you here at Tinkle Tickle.'
"'Oh, no, Tim! No, no! The women scoff. An' I'm ashamed. Oh, I'm ashamed t' be seen! I can't stand it no more. I got t' go 'way. Won't you take me, Tim?'
"Tim Mull looked, then, in her eyes. 'Ay,' says he, 'I'll take you, dear.'