Some said he had joked her out of life, others that she had gone into consumption.

He was a reader--perhaps the only one in all the village, and could whistle like a blackbird.

To work hard, but without too great method, to drink hard, but with perfect method, and to talk nineteen to the dozen anywhere except at home--was his mode of life.

In a word, he was a 'character.' Old Gaunt sat down in a wooden rocking-chair, and spoke.
"Sir Gerald 'e've a-just passed." "Sir Gerald 'e can goo to hell.

They'll know un there, by 'is little ears." "'E've a-spoke about us stoppin'; so as Mettie goes out to sarvice." "'E've a-spoke about what 'e don't know 'bout, then.