Page:Hannah More (1887 Charlotte Mary Yonge British).djvu/124

112 live in a hovel with only one room above and below, with scarcely any chimney. Indeed, they hardly ever have much fire, for they do little cooking, and fuel is very dear. The poor wife had had a severe illness, and, as the shepherd justly observes, "Rheumatism, Sir, without blankets by night or flannel by day, is but a baddish job, especially to people who have little or no fire." However, this is mentioned by the good man to enhance his gratitude for two new blankets and a half a crown. It may be feared that cottage accommodation has not advanced as much as other matters. We have an inventory of the furniture—a table, four brown wooden chairs, an iron pot and kettle, a poor old grate that scarcely held a handful of coal, which was taken out as soon as the water boiled, an old carved elbowchair and a chest, a candlestick and a bright spit, kept for ornament instead of use. The Sunday's dinner consists of a large dish of potatoes, a brown pitcher, and a piece of a coarse loaf. When the shepherd has devoutly given thanks, his little girl exclaims, "Father, I wish I was big enough to say Grace; I am sure I would say it heartily to-day, for I was thinking what poor people do who have no salt to their potatoes." This same little Molly gathers the locks of wool left by the sheep on the brambles, the mother cards it, the biggest girl spins it, and the children knit it into stockings for themselves. The father mends their shoes, as he had a great dislike