378  HANDLEY  CROSS

The  wind  was  cuttingly  keen,  and  swept  up  and  down
with  unrestrained  freedom.  There  was  not  a  fire  liglited,
and  the  whole  place  smelt  of  soot,  and  was  the  picture  of
misery.
"  Shall  never  get  to  the  World  Turned  Upside  Down
to-day,"  said  Mr.  Jorrocks,  eyeing  the  scene  of  desolation,
and  wishing  what  he  saw  might  be  the  extent  of  the
mischief.  "  Pity  to  lose  a  day  too,"  added  he,  thinking
it  might  only  be  a  squall.
He  now  sought  the  refuge  of  the  parlour,  but  oh !  what
greeted  him  there! — the  window  wide  open — chairs
huddled  in  the  centre  of  the  room,  the  table  in  the
corner,  and  Betsy  with  up-turned  gown,  scrubbing  away
at  the  grate.
"  Now  blast  it,  Batsay,"  roared  Mr.  JoiTOcks,  as  a
gust  of  wind  swe^jt  a  row  of  china  oli'  a  chill'onnier.
''  Now  blast  it,  Batsay,  vot  in  the  name  of  all  that's  hugly
are  you  arter  now  ?  "

"  Only  polishing  the  grate ! "  exclaimed  Betsey,
astonished  at  seeing  her  master  walking  about  in  his
night-cap  and  dressing-gown.
"  But  vot  in  the  name  o'  badness  are  you  workin'  with
the  winder  open  for  ?  "

"  To  air  the  house,  to  be  sure !  "  replied  Betsey  tartly.
