He stumped in on his crutches afore Joseph could say any more, and, arter letting his sister kiss 'im, went into the front room and sat down. There was cold beef and pickles on the table and two jugs o' beer, and arter just telling his sister 'ow he fell and broke 'is leg, they all sat down to supper.
Bert Simmons sat on one side of Emily and Joseph the other, and the cook couldn't 'elp feeling sorry for 'er, seeing as he did that sometimes she was 'aving both hands squeezed at once under the table and could 'ardly get a bite in edgeways.
Old Bill lit his pipe arter supper, and then, taking another glass o' beer, he told 'em about the cook dreaming of his accident three days afore it happened. They couldn't 'ardly believe it at fust, but when he went on to tell 'em the other things the cook 'ad dreamt, and that everything 'ad 'appened just as he dreamt it, they all edged away from the cook and sat staring at him with their mouths open.
“And that ain't the worst of it,” ses Bill.
“That's enough for one night, Bill,” ses Joseph, who was staring at Bert Simmons as though he could eat him. “Besides, I believe it was on'y chance. When cook told you 'is dream it made you nervous, and that's why you fell.”
“Nervous be blowed!” ses Bill; and then he told 'em about the dream he 'ad heard while he was laying in 'is bunk.
Bill's sister gave a scream when he 'ad finished, and Emily, wot was sitting next to Joseph, got up with a shiver and went and sat next to Bert Simmons and squeezed his coat-sleeve.
“It's all nonsense!” ses Joseph, starting up. “And if it wasn't, true love would run the risk. I ain't afraid!”
“It's too much to ask a gal,” ses Bert Simmons, shaking his 'ead.
“I couldn't dream of it,” ses Emily. “Wot's the use of being married for a week? Look at uncle's leg—that's enough for me!”