The mother of the three-weeks-old infant had just gone out to the mill to claim her work from the person who had been filling her place during her confinement.

The old woman said that the husband was "a grinder in a card-room when they geet wed, an' he addled about 8s.

a week; but, after they geet wed, his wife larn't him to weighve upo' th' peawer-looms." She said that she was no relation to them, but she nursed, and looked after the house for them.

"They connot afford to pay mo nought," continued she, "but aw fare as they fare'n, an' they dunnot want to part wi' me.

Aw'm not good to mich, but aw can manage what they wanten, yo see'n.