Memoirs of a Surrey Labourer

uary, like December, had been mild-too mild, some people said, of whom, however, Bettesworth was not one. February set in wit

no reminder of any of them. But about the middle of the month a circumstance came to my knowledge which made his good-temp

ening, where another man was discoursing at

ld be like enough to tell 'em to shut up. Because, if you goes to hear anything, hear it. Same as at church or chapel or a entertainment: you goes to listen, an' th

take front seats who might profit by his little homily on good manners. But he only meant that t

elf, but much remained to do. Several men had "went up reg'lar busters," and "children and young gals" on their way to church had fallen down. It would be a public service to besprinkle the path with sand. So Bettesworth made his suggestion to his neighbours-"four or five of 'em. They was hangin' about: hadn't got nothin' to do." But no. They sh

cion of it, and was surprised enough when told by a third person. But it was true-too true. He admitted it readily when I asked him. His wife was ill again, worse than she ha

er home again on the fourth day, because she had been lodged and treated as a common pauper. Consequently I knew that he must be at extremities now, when it came out that he was deciding again to send the old lady to the infirmary. But he was at his wits' end what to do for her. He could not afford to stay at home from work; yet while he was away she was alone, since her condition and temper made neighbours reluctant to help. Sometimes the fear haunted him that she would meet a violent death, falling in a fit on to the fire, perhaps; sometimes he dreaded that he would have to put her finally away into an asylu

taken to gain their end. Bettesworth now seemed paralyzed; he had forgotten how to go on; moreover, he could not be satisfied-although there was a new infirmary-that his wife would be more decently treated there

arish doctor, who lived in the town, a mile and a half away. But the doctor might only attend upon Bettesworth's presenting an order to be obtained from the relieving officer, two miles away in the exactly opposite direction. The medical man would then come as soon as he found convenient, and Bettesworth woul

some twelve miles of walking to do; but it was most likely that, between relieving officer and doctor, two or even three days would elapse before the desired

day's duty in other places, Bettesworth proposed to be up betimes, and catch him at his office before he started. It would be just possible then, by hurrying

by the dreary whiteness of the storm. At nightfall, the weather seemed to turn wicked. Hours afterwards, as I sat listening to the howling gusts of wind, which puffed the smoke from out of my fire, and brought the snow with a crisp bristling sound against my window, I could not get out of my head the thought of Bettesworth, alone with his crazy wife d

ing. On the further progress of Mrs. Bettesworth's illness at this time my notebook is silent; but, as I recall now, s