He pulled his fore-lock to Sir Ralph, rather shyly; possibly in his youth he had made the sheriff's acquaintance under less favourable circumstances.

But he plucked up courage.
"Your honour, might a man say a word to 'ee ?" "Certainly! but be quick, my good fellow," replied the baronet, who was noted for his kindly manner to humble folk.
"Sir, I be a poor man.

I lives in one o' my lord's houses.

I hanna paid no rent for a year.

Mr.Brown zays to me, he zays--'Jacob, vote for Vermilye, and I'll forgive 'ee the rent, and here be two pound ten to start again wi'.