The Bettesworth Book; Talks with a Surrey Peasant (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ...any o' their houses was built for 'em. All squattin' round a fire, like this. Frost, or snow on the ground--'twas all the same to them. And after he's house was built, old Phil, he wouldn't have no fire in it, not to dry it nor nothing. Would have it out by the tent, same as before.... I helped build that house. An' many a time I've come across 'em, an' dropped in an' had a dish o' tea round the fire wi' 'em, at ha'-past-five in the mornin' when I was gwine along to work." "Was that," I asked, " the house that Jenkinson built for them, and that I heard about t'other day? When Gent got into it, he told Jenkinson that if ever he built him another house, he hoped he would put the channelling inside; for there was more wet came inside than there did out." "Yes; 'twas so damp," assented Bettesworth solemnly. The story was obviously familiar to him. "No; that house was for another of 'em, --Roger, ol' Phil's brother. Jenki'son built 'n a tank afterwards. They'd lived there several years without water; an' at last Roger he said he'd dig th' tank out, if Jenki'son'd line it with bricks an' cement. So old Bob (Jenkinson) he went an' built it up inside an' doomed it over to a little hole at top; an' when he'd done, Roger he calls he's wife--' Pay Mister Jenki'son, ' he says, 'for buildin' this tank.' "' Which tank?' she says. "' This tank. He's finished, ' Roger says. "' Call that a tank?' she says. "' Yes, missus, ' says Jenki'son, 'that's what I calls a tank?' "'Well, I calls it a bloomin' sink-hole, ' she says. "She'd bin expectin' a big place--as big as the house, you know. Oh, he had to talk to her smartish afore she'd pay. An' at last she put in her hand an' drew it out of her...