it'll be!"

This proposition was received by the rest of the company with roars of
laughter and the fullest approbation.

"It'll be first-rate," said Jones, "if we can only manage it."

"Surely," said another, "he'll never dare show his face out of the
door."

"Ah, but," suggested one, "what about Betty? She's sure to wake and
spoil it all. It's too risky, with her sleeping close by."

"No," said another man, "it'll just be all right. Betty'll be off at
Rochdale visiting her aunt. Our Mary heard Fanny Higson and Betty
talking it over at the mill a day or two since. `So you'll not be at
the meeting?' says Fanny. `Why not?' says Betty. `'Cos you'll be off
at your aunt's at Rochdale,' says Fanny. `Ah, but I'm bound to be back
for the meeting, and hear fayther tell his tale,' says Betty. `I'll be
back some time in the forenoon, to see as fayther has his Sunday shirt
and shoes, and his clothes all right, and time enough to dress myself
for the meeting. Old Jenny'll see to fayther while I'm off. It'll be
all right if I'm at home some time in the forenoon.' So you see, mates,
it couldn't be better; as the parson says, it's quite a providence."

"Well, what say you?" cried Will Jones. "Shall we strike hands on it?"

All at once shook hands, vowing to serve out poor Johnson.

"Ay," exclaimed one, "we must get the chap as takes photographs to come
over on purpose. Eh, what a rare cart-der-wissit Tommy'll make arter
the scratching. You must lay in a lot on 'em, Will, and sell 'em for
sixpence a piece. You'll make your fortune by it, man."

"Martha," said Jones, turning to his wife, "mind, not a word to any
living soul about what we've been saying."

"I've said I won't tell," replied his wife; "and in course I won't. But
I'm sure you might find summat better to do nor scratching a poor
fellow's face as has done you no harm. I'm not fond of your teetottal
chaps; but Tommy's a quiet, decent sort of man, and their Betty's as
tidy a wench as you'll meet with anywhere; and I think it's a shame to
bring 'em any more trouble, for they've had more nor their share as it
is. It'd be a rare and good thing if some of you chaps'd follow Tommy's
example. There'd be more peace in the house, and more brass in the
pocket at the week end."

"Hold your noise, and mind your own business," shouted her husband,
fiercely. "You just blab a word of what we've been saying, and see how
I'll sarve you out.--Come, mates, let's