And then he thought about it for a month. At the end of that time he made up his mind to join. He rode up Neap’s Lane one morning and rang his bell. When Ettie appeared the usual conversation underwent a slight variant:
“Hulloa!”
“Hulloa!”
“All right?”
“Ay.”
“Doin’ much?”
“Oo—mendin’ pa’s night-gown.”
“Oh! I be goin’ to jine up.”
“Oo—oh! Be ’ee?”
“Ay.”