Robson stamped his snow-laden feet and shook himself well, still standing on the mat, and letting a cold frosty current of fresh air into the great warm kitchen.

He laughed at them all before he spoke.
'It's a coud new year as I'm lettin' in though it's noan t' new year yet.

Yo'll a' be snowed up, as sure as my name s Dannel, if yo' stop for twel' o'clock.

Yo'd better mak' haste and go whoam.

Why, Charley, my lad! how beest ta?
who'd ha' thought o' seeing thee i' these parts again! Nay, missus, nay, t' new year mun find its way int' t' house by itsel' for me; for a ha' promised my oud woman to bring Sylvie whoam as quick as may-be; she's lyin' awake and frettin' about t' snow and what not.