It was the boilin' copper, the scrubbin' brush, an' the kitchen floor every time." She was intensely interested in Miss Perkins's cousin, who was on his way from England to marry her.

She described him so minutely that Mrs Yabsley would have recognized him if she had met him in the street.
His income, his tastes and habits, his beautiful letters to Miss Perkins, filled Mrs Yabsley with respectful admiration.

As a special favour Miss Perkins promised to read aloud one of his letters announcing his departure from England, but found that she had mislaid it.

She made up for it by consulting Mrs Yabsley on the choice of a husband.

Mrs Yabsley, who had often been consulted on this subject, gave her opinion.
"Some are ruled by 'is 'andsome face, an' some by 'ow much money 'e's got, but they nearly all fergit they've got ter live in the same 'ouse with 'im.