Page:Between Two Loves.djvu/309

304 "I can't get oover it. Thee married? Who iver did ta sort with? Ann Gibson?"

"Ann Gibson!" answered Ben, sarcastically. "I like t' best and bonniest o' iverything. If ta is thinking of besting me in a wife thou will hev to ride t' length and t' breadth of England to find one half so bonny, that's all."

"Thou art nobbut fooling me, Ben."

"Am I, though? Come home with me and hev a cup o' tea. I'm sure thou needs it, and Mr. Shuttleworth will come too, I'se warrant."

"Ay, I think we can't do a better thing, Jonathan. I go varry often wi' Ben; his missis makes a good cup, and it will do thee good, right off t' railway."

And as Jonathan wanted to see Sarah that night he thought it would be a very good thing to do. He could have his tea, wash his face and hands, and Sarah's house was not a quarter of an hour's walk from Ben's house. So the mill was locked, and the three men went leisurely up the road to Ben's home. Shuttleworth walking between Jonathan and Ben, and leaning upon them.

"What will thy missis say, Ben, at us