George.  And do you think as she got talking a lot to Dorry, Steve?

Steve.  I’m blest if I do know, George.  I never gived another thought to she.  What’s up?

George.  They was getting the body of her from out of Simon’s Pool as I did come by.  That’s all.

Steve.  From Simon’s Pool, George?

George.  I count her must have went across the plank afore ’twas fairly daylight.  And, being slippery, like, from the snow, and her—­ her—­as you did say.

Steve.  In liquor.

George.  I reckon as her missed her footing, like.

Steve.  Well, upon my word, George, who’d have thought on such a thing!

George.  I count as her had been in the water and below the ice a smartish while afore they catched sight of she.

Steve.  Well, ’tis a cold finish to a hot life.

George.  They took and laid her on the grass, Steve, as I comed by.

Steve.  If it had been me, I’d have turned the head of me t’other side.

George.  There was summat in the fashion her was laid, Steve, as drawed I near for to get a sight of the face of she.

Steve.  Well, I shouldn’t have much cared for that, George.

George.  Steve—­did you get a look into the eyes of yon poor thing last night?

Steve.  No, nor wanted for to, neither.

George.  There was naught to make you think of —

Steve.  Of what, George?

George.  There—­Steve, I can’t get it out, I can’t.

Steve.  Then let it bide in.

George.  ’Twas the way her was laid, and the long arms of she, and the hands which was clapped one on t’other, as it might be in church.

Steve. [Looking through the window.] You shut up, George.  Here’s Annie with Rose a-coming up to the door.  Don’t you get saying another word about yon poor wretch nor the end of her.  I wouldn’t have my Annie upset for all the world to-day.  ’Tis a thing as must not be spoke of afore they, nor Dorry neither, do you hear?

[He moves towards the door and puts his hand to the latch.

George.  Hold back, Steve, a minute.  There’s summat more as I’ve got to say.

Steve.  You take and shut your mouth up, old George, afore I opens the door to the girls.

George.  ’Tis bound for to come from me afore you goes along to church, Steve.

Steve.  I warrant ’twill keep till us do come home again, George.

[He throws the door wide open with a joyous movement.  Annie and rose in white dresses stand outside.

Steve.  Well, Annie, this is a rare surprise, and that’s the truth. [Annie and rose come into the room.

Rose.  Father, he’s outside, and Jim and Bill and Katie, and all the rest.  We said as ’twould be pleasanter if we was all to go up together along to the church.