Margaret said something, she hardly knew what, her throat and mouth were so dry, and the children's noise completely prevented her from being heard. She tried again.
"How are you, Mrs. Boucher? But very poorly, I'm afraid."
"I've chance o' being well," said she querulously. "I'm left alone to manage these childer, and nought for to give 'em for to keep 'em quiet. John should na ha' left me, and me so poorly."
"How long is it since he went away?"

Margaret said something, she hardly knew what, her throat and mouth were so dry, and the children's noise so great. She tried again.
'How are you, Mrs. Boucher? Very poorly, I'm afraid.'
'I've no chance o' being well,' said she querulously. 'I'm left alone to manage these childer, and no food to keep 'em quiet. John should na ha' left me.'
'How long is it since he went away?'
