She could ride like a bird and drive bullocks on a pinch in a dray or at plough, chop wood, too, as well as here and there a one.

But when she was in the house and regularly set down to her sewing she'd look that quiet and steady-going you'd think she was only fit to teach in a school or sell laces and gloves.
And so she was when she was let work in her own way, but if she was crossed or put upon, or saw anything going wrong, she'd hold up her head and talk as straight as any man I ever saw.

She'd a look just like father when he'd made up his mind, only her way was always the right way.

What a difference it makes, doesn't it?
And she was so handsome with it.

I've seen a goodish lot of women since I left the old place, let alone her that's helped to put me where I am, but I don't think I ever saw a girl that was a patch on Aileen for looks.