24 The Old Umbrella.

 

care of them,’ returned the father,
thoughtfully. ‘ What say you, wife ?

‘Well,’ she said, ‘I’m not sure
but what our May is right. You're
not neglecting of them, Ben; you're
doing your best to keep them well
and hearty, and so am I too, you
know. And here’s the poor old
father wanting you; and you can’t
go. It seems to me that we must
trust a bit more than we have done,
and let them go. Their clothes
won't tempt anyone to hurt them,
poor dears; and they knows their
way, and most people knows them.
They won't come to no harm, Ben.
I'd let ’em go, if I was you.’

‘Well, if thee bain’t afraid, mother,