was born, it seems to me. Tha couldn t walk five mile. It s five mile
to our cottage.
I should like to see your cottage.
Martha stared at her a moment curiously before she took up her
polishing brush and began to rub the grate again. She was thinking that
the small plain face did not look quite as sour at this moment as it
had done the first morning she saw it. It looked just a trifle like
little Susan Ann s when she wanted something very much.
I ll ask my mother about it, she said. She s one o them that nearly
always sees a way to do things. It s my day out today an I m goin
home. Eh! I am glad. Mrs. Medlock thinks a lot o mother. Perhaps she
could talk to her.
I like your mother, said Mary.
I should think tha did, agreed Martha, polishing away.
I ve never seen her, said Mary.
No, tha hasn t, replied Martha.
She sat up on her heels again and rubbed the end of her nose with the
back of her hand as if puzzled for a moment, but she ended quite
positively.
Well, she s that sensible an hard workin an good-natured an clean
that no one could help likin her whether they d seen her or not. When
I m goin home to her on my day out I just jump for joy when I m
crossin the moor.
I like Dickon, added Mary. And I ve never seen him.
Well, said Martha stoutly, I ve told thee that th very birds likes
him an th rabbits an wild sheep an ponies, an th foxes
themselves. I wonder, staring at her reflectively, what Dickon would
think of thee?
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