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"Who's the gov?" Mrs Chester looked at Mary Margaret "It's Mr Boggs, it is 'E's in charge [ thought ya was supposed ta be a smart one," she said "Ya open yer ov round 'ere, eh Mary Margaret?"

"Yes, mum"

"Yes, ain "Ya don't want ta cross Mr Boggs when 'e's got a cob on Now as ta what you'll do 'ere," she said "First, I don't want none of lasses or cups, 'ear? Ya carry the the washin' up I don't need no clod eshipshape See 'owat the stove "Mr Endfield, 'e's a regular Captain Bligh when it coht a ht from the start, should 'e ask ya for a cup of tea, 'e's a mif, see?"

"Mif?"

"Milk in first, girl I thought ya was supposed ta be smart," she said with more disdain this time

"I just got here a few hours ago, Mrs Chester I don't think it's fair to expect me to have learned all of your funny expressions by now?'

"Funny expressions!" She looked at Mary Margaret, who, of course, looked down "Ain't she the sassy one?"

"Mrs Endfied wanted you to give Rain a cup of tea and a tea biscuit," Mary Margaret practically whispered to Mrs Chester

"She did now?"

"I don't need itI'll wait for dinner," I said sharply

"Will ya? That's a relief All right, Mary Margaret Show 'er 'ow ta set the table For yer information, we eat after we serve them their evenin' meal, so you'll be waitin' a while," she told me She stared at me for a moment

"What?" I asked

"You and ya family on the dole in America, are ya?"

"The dole?" I looked at Mary Margaret