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. "Everything's plain and simple—so the paper-hanger said. We must be in the fashion, you know."

"Aye," answered Mally. "I expect we mun. There's nowt like being a bit fashionable."

Hepworth locked the parlour door and went to eat his dinner. Pleasant reflections came to him. He was smiling when Mally came in carrying a jug of ale.

"Just to think, Mally!" he said. "This is the last time I shall ever eat my dinner as a bachelor. Isn't that queer? The last time, Mally, the last time! I shall be married and done for to-morrow at this time."

"It's a varry serious thing, maister," said Mally. "I should ha' hed my say agen it if I didn't think t' lass 'ud mak' ye a good wife."

"She will, Mally, she will!" cried Hepworth.

"I'm sewer on it, maister. There's nowt escapes me," said Mally. "But ye know ye mooänt forget t' owd woman 'at's slaved and