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306 and Nelly came in, rosy with the heat of the kitchen, and with a little white apron on to shield her pretty brown merino dress. She put both her hands in Jonas Shuttleworth's, dropped a courtesy to Jonathan, and then went right to Ben, and he took her proudly to his heart and kissed her.

"Let's hev a cup o' tea, misses," he said fondly; and she laughed, and answered, "Why, here it comes, Ben; and lots of spice-bread and Yorkshire pie"—and Jonathan could not but wonder at the dainty little woman, and look at Ben in such an astonished way that Ben, catching such a look, burst out laughing at it. And with this and that they had the merriest kind of meal, old Jonas Shuttleworth seeming to enjoy it better than anyone.

Afterwards Jonathan went up-stairs to bathe his face and hands, and Ben followed him. "Thou art going to see Sarah Benson, I'll warrant?"

"Thou hes hit t' truth, Ben. I shall not be happy till I hev seen her, so there's no use in going home till I'm satisfied."

"Well, Jonathan, I advise thee to get married as fast as iver ta can. I wonder thou hes hed