tantrum, an sed tha'd have nooan sich powse abaat th' haase, but if tha
thinks we could do wi some aw'll get some to-day. This is Setterdy an
ther's allus plenty to be had i'th market. Aw think it ud be a gooid
idea for ther's nowt awm fonder on nor a fresh egg in a drop o' rum in a
mornin."

"Rum agean! It's th' topmost thowt i' thi mind. If aw live longer nor
thee, aw'll put a bottle into thi coffin. Tho' if aw did, aw do believe
tha'd get up an sup it. But if tha likes to goa an buy a couple o' nice
hens an fix a place up for em, tha can tak this five shillin an see what
tha can do. An if tha brings me mi reight change an doesn't stop long,
aw'll see if aw cannot have summat for thi at tha'll like."

"Aw'll hunt up old blind Billy, an get a couple off him, becoss aw know
he's honest, an ther's net monny honest fowk i'th hen trade."

Sammywell worn't long befoor he wor off, an as he wor passin th' Market
Tavern, he saw blind Billy commin aght. He tell'd him just what he
wanted, an Billy sed, "As far as aw can see, tha's just come at th'
reight time, for aw've three grand young pullets at's all ready for
layin, an aw'll let thi have em cheap. Six shillin for three; and
they're cheap at seven an sixpence."

"Nay, tha axes too much, they're sich little ens."

"Aw nivver saw three bigger at that price," he sed, an as he wor born
stooan blind that wor true.

"Aw'll gie thi five shillin, an strike th' bargain just nah," sed
Sammywell.