Page:Between Two Loves.djvu/93

88 answered, she 'could manage her husband without any of her interference,' and sharper words followed, and the upshot was, Joyce declared she'd hev her own way, come what would o' it."

"Was Steve at t' christening?"

"Why, for sure. He came home on t' Friday night before t' christening Sunday, and he was that eager to make it up with Joyce that he agreed to all she wanted. Lucy Booth was at Joyce's that night, and she told me how hard Steve begged to hev Sarah invited, but Joyce said Sarah worrited her, and her nerves couldn't stand 'worriting,' besides, Sarah hadn't sent t' little lass a present, and there were plenty of friends who had done so, to fill t' house to t' varry door-step."

"Did thou go to t' christening?"

"Ay, I went to t' church, and there was a big party around t' font, and old Lotta Asketh stood up for t' baby with Joyce's own mother. Old Lotta may leave her a hundred pounds, but she'll niver teach her the creed and the collects, not she. There's not a bigger old heathen anywhere than Lotta Asketh."

"Did ta go to t' christening-feast?"

"Ay. I did. There was a grand spread, I can