IS; DIGGING A GRAVE

of youngsters staring home from a night’s |
debauch — three youths — young lads, little
more than boys — linked together arm within
arm, gibbered and sang and swore. - She
thought how fortunate it was shé had not
been on her way and met them. ‘She list-
ened until certain they ° were gone. When
she got to the door-step, a sweep, with his
long, folded broom and empty soot bag,
_ passed; and then round. the corner came the
early morning cry, « Fresh water cree—e—

99

ses,” and the swift, yet ‘even-footed milk
woman, her face blooming as a peony, within
3 a hedge of white frilling, stopped to fill the
jug that waited her on the “airy ” railing,
and answered the cat’s mew from, below
with, “ Take it easy, ee you'll have your
share. me ce :
| “ Oh, then, the top of the morning to you,
- Mary,” she added to Mary’s smiled good.
morning! “ you’re early aloot for ye, and

and I’m late.”