"I'll tie her to the leg o' the loom," he said at last--"tie her with a good long strip o' something." "Well, mayhap that'll do, as it's a little gell, for they're easier persuaded to sit i' one place nor the lads.

I know what the lads are; for I've had four--four I've had, God knows--and if you was to take and tie 'em up, they'd make a fighting and a crying as if you was ringing the pigs.

But I'll bring you my little chair, and some bits o' red rag and things for her to play wi'; an' she'll sit and chatter to 'em as if they was alive.

Eh, if it wasn't a sin to the lads to wish 'em made different, bless 'em, I should ha' been glad for one of 'em to be a little gell; and to think as I could ha' taught her to scour, and mend, and the knitting, and everything.

But I can teach 'em this little un, Master Marner, when she gets old enough." "But she'll be _my_ little un," said Marner, rather hastily.