"
"That's real edifying, Mrs. Ploughman," said Mrs. Crabbe, "real
edifying. Yes," she exclaimed with energy, "these are terrible times.
Now they give me tea without sugar in it. For there's no sugar to be
had. Well, I won't drink it. I spit it out, when nobody's looking."
And she plied her needles with vigor, to show what she thought of such
an arrangement.
"As I was saying," said Mrs. Ploughman, "it's the young who get the old
into trouble. And artful folk, who'd ought to know better, with the
life they've had. I've had no peace in this life. But I'll have it
hereafter."
At this reflection upon Mrs. Wicket, Mr. Jeminy rose to go. "You are
right," he said; "no one will disturb you." And he went home to Mrs.
Grumble.
"Where have you been all day?" she demanded.
Mr. Jeminy smiled. He knew that Mrs. Grumble thought he had been
spending the afternoon at Mrs. Wicket's. "I have been to call on Mrs.
Ploughman," he said. "There I met old Mrs. Crabbe."
Then Mrs. Grumble hurried out into the garden to pick a mess of young
beans for supper, because Mr.
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