The man, a common fellow, made jokes with them, tried to swindle them, and bullied them.

Mrs.Morel went up her yard disdainfully.
It was an understood thing that if one woman wanted her neighbour, she should put the poker in the fire and bang at the back of the fireplace, which, as the fires were back to back, would make a great noise in the adjoining house.

One morning Mrs.Kirk, mixing a pudding, nearly started out of her skin as she heard the thud, thud, in her grate.

With her hands all floury, she rushed to the fence.
"Did you knock, Mrs.Morel ?" "If you wouldn't mind, Mrs.Kirk." Mrs.Kirk climbed on to her copper, got over the wall on to Mrs.Morel's copper, and ran in to her neighbour.
"Eh, dear, how are you feeling ?" she cried in concern.
"You might fetch Mrs.Bower," said Mrs.Morel.
Mrs.Kirk went into the yard, lifted up her strong, shrill voice, and called: "Ag-gie--Ag-gie!" The sound was heard from one end of the Bottoms to the other.

At last Aggie came running up, and was sent for Mrs.Bower, whilst Mrs.Kirk left her pudding and stayed with her neighbour.
Mrs.Morel went to bed.