“Aal-amang wi'yourn,” exclaimed the constable. “Drattle 'em. Thaay be more trouble than they be wuth.”
“I knowd as thaay wur yourn zoon as ever I sot eyes on 'em,” old Simon went on.
“How did'ee know 'em then?” asked the constable.
“'Cause thine be aal zettin' crass-legged,” said Simon, with a chuckle. “Thee medst cum and pick 'em all out if thee'st a mind to 't.”
Simon was mollified by his own joke, and broke into a short, dry cachinnation, half laugh, half cough; while the constable, who was pleased and astonished to find his neighbour in such a good humour, hastened to get an empty hive and a pair of hedger's gloves—fortified with which he left his cottage and made the best of his way up street towards the Rectory gate, hard by which stood Simon's cottage.
The old gardener was of an impatient nature, and the effect of the joke had almost time to evaporate, and Simon was fast relapsing into his usual state of mind towards his neighbour before the latter made his appearance.
“Wher' hast been so long?” he exclaimed, when the constable joined him.
“I seed the young missus and t'other young lady a standin' talkin' afore the door,” said David; “so I stopped back, so as not to dlsturve 'em.”
“Be 'em gone in? Who was 'em talkin' to?”
“To thy missus, and thy daarter too, I b'lieve 'twas. Thaay be both at whoam, bean't 'em?”