At the same time there came from a workshop across a little yard outside the window, a regular sound of hammering that kept a kind of tune: RAT--tat-tat, RAT--tat-tat, RAT--tat-tat, without any variation.
'Well,' said my conductor to one of the three young women.

'How do you get on, Minnie ?' 'We shall be ready by the trying-on time,' she replied gaily, without looking up.

'Don't you be afraid, father.' Mr.Omer took off his broad-brimmed hat, and sat down and panted.

He was so fat that he was obliged to pant some time before he could say: 'That's right.' 'Father!' said Minnie, playfully.

'What a porpoise you do grow!' 'Well, I don't know how it is, my dear,' he replied, considering about it.