I did--I did!
I meant it too.
'If your man turns up stunt,' sez I,
'You can't goa off, or let him fly;
You can't maintain yoursen--not you!--
Lettin' aloan the bairns, you 'aint!'
(That made her squirm all down her back!)
''Ow could you wok up on a stack?
Or yok a hoss or bake or wesh;
If your man drinks or starts to thresh
You couldn't leave him coz he holds yer:
You're tied by laws and friends what scolds yer;
Yer ain't like me, as free as air.
I'm not afraid whoever stare,
Nayther is Tom!
We minds oursens
An' thinks noa more of foaks than hens,
Coz if I doant behave mysen--
Or him--
We parts!--
Why doant we?
Why?
Becoz we're free an' happy here,
Becoz we treats each other fair!'
You giv 'er the rough o' yer tongue, old gel,
But--what a sell!
Comin' 'ere to ride rough shod
Coz she's a 'wife.'
Why--bless my life
She doesn't know she's born;
She couldn't find her own corn!
I sent 'er off wi' a flea in 'er ear!
An' will again if she dost come near!
But she weant!
The white faced critter--
Wi' a noaz like a knife
An' a smile that bitter
As if she would kill.
A wife!
What does she know of life?--
Nowt!
Nor ever will!--
But tomorrer's Sunday
An' we'll go to Church!
What?
Yes! Just for once; an' sit together,
Like birds of a feather!
We aint ashamed to show our faces
To them what thinks we be disgraces.
We'll goa together Tom--for sure
We'll goa this once an' then noa more--
If you be willin'?
Aye lass--I'm willin'--
I'll back you up as I've allers done,
Agen Parson's wife or anyone.
Aye; agen all the country round,
Coz you're as good as could be found--
An' now--old gel--it's omost eight,
Come on--yer know we moant be late,
Off to the Ship for our glass of aale;
This yarn of yourn'll make a taale!
What's that--yer bunnet?
All rate ... be quick--
I'll wait for yer agen the gate.