at the door below, a thinking of nothing at all, and singing "Paddy O'Raffety" to myself, and says he to me, "You cobbler fellor," says he, " don't you go for to keep such a bawling every morning, awakening people out of their first sleep," says he, "for if you do, my lord will have you put into the stocks," says he.

MARGERY.

The stocks! O goodness gracious me! and what for, pray?

DICK-(with a grin.)

Why, for singing, honey! So says I, "Hark'ee, Mr. Scrape-trencher, there go words to that bargain: what right have you to go for to speak in that there way to me?" says I; and says he, "We'll have you 'dited for a nuisance, fellor," says he.

MARGERY (clasping her hands.)

A nuisance! my Dick a nuisance! O Lord a' mercy!

DICK.

Never fear, girl; I'm a free-born Englishman, and I knows the laws well enough: and says I, "No more a fellor than yourself; I'm an honest man, following an honest calling, and I don't care that for you nor your lord neither; and I'll sing when I please, and I'll sing what I please, and I'll sing as loud as I please; I will, by jingo!" and so he lifts me up his cane, and I says quite cool," This house is my castle; and if you don't take yourself out of that in a jiffey, why, I'll give your laced jacket

such a dusting as it never had before in its life-1 will."

MARGERY.

O, Dick! you've a spirit of your own, I warrant. Well, and then?

DICK.

Oh, I promise you he was off in the twinkling of a bed-post, and I've heard no more of him; but I was determined to wake you this morning with a thundering song; just to show 'em I didn't care for 'em-ha! ha! ha!

MARGERY.

Oh, ho! that was the reason, then, that you bawled so in my ear, and frightened me out of my sleep-was it? Oh, well, I forgive you; but bless me! I stand chattering here, and it's twelve o'clock, as I live! I must go to market-(putting on her shawl and bonnet.) What would you like to have for dinner, Dick, love? a nice rasher of bacon, by way of a relish ?

DICK-(smacking his lips,)

Just the very thing, honey.

MARGERY.

Well, give me the shilling, then.

DICK-(scratching his head)

What shilling?

MARGERY.

Why, the shilling you had yesterday.

DICK-(feeling in his pockets.)

A shilling!

MARGERY.

Yes, a shilling. (Gayly.) To have meat, one must have money; and folks must eat as well as sing, Dick, love. Come, out with it!

DICK.

But suppose I haven't got it?

MARGERY.

How! what! you don't mean for to say that the last shilling that you put in your pocket, just to make a show, is gone

?

other.) Stay, that's lucky. Here's a pair of danc ing pumps as belongs to old Mrs. Crusty, the baker's wife at the corner

MARGERY-gayly.)

We can't eat them for dinner, I guess.

DICK.

No, no; but I'm just at the last stitch.

MARGERY.

Yes

DICK-(speaking and working in a hurry.)

And so you'll take them home

Yes

MARGERY.

DICK.

And tell her I must have seven-pence halfpenny for them. (Gives them.)

MARGERY-(examining the shoes.)

But, Dick, isn't that some'at extortionate, as a body may say? seven-pence halfpenny!

DICK.

Why, here's heel-pieces, and a patch upon each toe; one must live, Meg!

MARGERY.

Yes, Dick, love; but so must other folks. Now I think seven-pence would be enough in all conscience--what do you say?

DICK.

Well, settle it as you like; only get a bit of dinner for us, for I'm as hungry as a hunter, I know.

MARGERY.

I'm going. Good bye, Dick!

DICK.

Take care of theeself-and don't spend the change in caps and ribbons, Meg!

MARGERY.

Caps and ribbons out of seven-pence! Lord help the man! ha, ha, ha! (She goes out.)

DICK-(calling after her.)

And come back soon, d'ye hear? There she goes-hop, skip, and jump, down the stairs. Somehow, I can't abear to have her out of my sight a minute. Well, if ever there was a man could say he had a good wife, why, that's me myself—tho 'f I say it-the cheerfullest, sweetest temperedst, cleanliest, lovingest woman in the whole parish, that never gives one an ill word from year's end to year's end, and deserves at least that a man should work hard for her-it's all I can do and we must

think for to-morrow as well as to-day. (He works with great energy, and sings at the same time with equal enthusiasm.)