Mary Barton

ut the k

t's ha

ut the k

ll all

if not cheered, by the unburdening of her fears and thoughts to her friend; and her approving look went far to second her husband's invitation that the whole party should adjourn from Green Heys Field

sleep till long past ten? and haven't you a shawl, under which you can tuck one lad's head, as safe as a bird's under i

another shawl," sug

ng rather th

ittle paved court, having the backs of houses at the end opposite to the opening, and a gutter running through the middle to carry off household slops, washing suds, &c. The women who lived in the court were busy taking in strings of caps, frocks, and various articles of linen, which hung from side to side, dangling so low,

tween the Wilsons and these women, for not

e-door, exclaimed, as Mary Barton (the daughter) pas

o see how Mary took the idea. He saw her assume the air of

d and leafy, which stood on the sill, formed a further defence from out-door pryers. In the corner between the window and the fire-side was a cupboard, apparently full of plates and dishes, cups and saucers, and some more nondescript articles, for which one would have fancied their possessors could find no use-such as triangular pieces of glass to save carving knives and forks from dirtying table-cloths. However, it was evident Mrs. Barton was proud of her crockery and glass, for she left her cupboard door open, with a glance round of satisfaction and pleasure. On the opposite side to the door and window was the staircase, and two doors; one of which (the nearest to the fire) led into a sort of little back kitchen, where dirty work, such as washing up dishes, might be done, and whose shelves served as larder, and pantry, and storeroom, and all. The other door, which was considerably lower, opened into the coal-hole-the slanting closet under the stairs; from which, to the f

en came a long whispering, and chinking of money, to which Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were too polite to attend; knowing, as they did full well, that it all related to the preparations for hospi

Tipping's (you may get one a-piece, that will be five-pence), and s

, and don't be stingy,"

l have a sort of relish of home with it he'll like,-and Mary" (seeing the lassie fain to be off), "you m

hou just go to Alice Wilson; he says she lives just right round the corner, under 14, Barber Street" (this was addressed to his w

nd saucer, for we have but half-a-dozen,

nd Mary can drink

lice brought her tea-cup and saucer, if the alte

s: in one corner stood the modest-looking bed, with a check curtain at the head, the whitewashed wall filling up the place where the corresponding one should have been. The floor was bricked, and scrupulously clean, although so damp that it seemed as if the last washing would never dry up. As the cellar window looked into an area in the street, down which boys might throw stones, it was protected by an outside shelter, and was oddly festooned with all manner of hedge-row, ditch, and field plants, which we are accustomed to call valueless, but which have a powerful effect either for good or for evil, and are consequently much used among the poor.

as busy trying to light her fire with the damp

t she had barred the door for the night, and has

her candle streamed on the girl's face. "How you are grown si

to tea, and bring your cup and saucer, for George and Jane Wilson is

'll come, with many thanks. Stay, Mary, has your mother got an

n't think

money-spending part. And well and ably did she perform her business, returning home with a little bottle of rum, and the eggs

ce present, after her humble cellar. She did not think of comparing; but for all that she felt the delicious glow of the fire, the bright light that revelled in every corner of the room, the savoury smells, the c

r, the rocking chair on the right hand side of the fire, nursing her baby, while its fath

h a very comfortable portion of confidence in her own culinary powers. Jem stood awkwardly leaning against the dresser, replying rather gruffly to his aunt's speeches, which gave him, he thought, the air of being a little boy; whereas he considered him

ill, for human beings were hungry, and had no time to speak. Alice first broke silence; holding her tea-cup with

ght of Esther, the absent Esther; and Mrs. Barton put down her food, and co

and a dislike to talk about any thing else while her tears fell fast and scalding. So George Wilson, his wife and children, set off early home, not before (in spite of mal-à-propos speeches) they had expresse

lice; and going up to Mrs. Barton she took her hand almost

the self-reproaching Alice. "You didn't mean any harm, and it was me as was so foolish; only this work about Esther, and

did she bless Mary Barton for these kind and thoughtful words. But jus