"That's queer, mistress. Suld we never have a holiday because we work hard?"
"_Never_," was the prompt answer; "unless," added the "mistress," with a smile that half belied the severity of her speech--"unless you knew how to make a better use of it than to get together over rum and tea if you are women, or over beer and pipes if you are men, and _talk_ scandal at your neighbours' expense. Come, friends," she added, changing at once from bluntness to courtesy, "oblige me by taking your cans and going home. I expect several persons to call to-day, and it will be inconvenient to have the avenues to the house crowded."
Yorkshire people are as yielding to persuasion as they are stubborn against compulsion. The yard was clear in five minutes.
"Thank you, and good-bye to you, friends," said Shirley, as she closed the gates on a quiet court.

Should we never have a holiday because we work hard?" asked a man, smiling.
"Never," was the prompt answer; "unless you make a better use of it than to talk scandal at your neighbours' expense. Come, friends," she added, changing at once from bluntness to courtesy, "oblige me by taking your cans and going home. I expect several persons to call today, and it will be inconvenient to have the avenues to the house crowded."
The yard was clear in five minutes. "Thank you, and good-bye, friends," said Shirley, as she closed the gates.
