The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 221: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

214 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. exactly at twelve, and the ship, you say, sails with the first tide ?” ‘Leave that to me,” replied the owner of the den, in the same low tone; “I’ve hit upon a plan. A precious noodle you would be, without me to work the affair |” ‘* Coffee "—“ Bread ”—* Roll and butter,” shouted several voices, at the far end of the room. “ Flin’s getting rich,” observed a factory hand; “he neglects his customers !” ‘¢ Perhaps he is in love!” said a second. ‘‘ With dumpy Bet, at the corner,” added a third ; ‘“‘he ought to have a wife, and Bet’s just the gal for him: she’s fond of gin, and Flin likes a drop of the cratur.” “Ugh!” growled the ruffian ; “ it’s not often I take my pleasure: Black Harry has just been gossipmg a bit, to tell me Holl’s factory, down in Salford, is on fire.” The words were no sooner out of his mouth, than a general rush was made at the door. A fire! it was excitement—something to see and talk about. In a few moments, those who had been most vociferous for their coffee, rolls, &c., complaining that they were famishing, were half-down Shude Hill, on their way to the scene of the supposed calamity, without waiting to be served; the rest, hastily swallowing the contents of their cups, followed their example. In no country has so little been done to provide healthy amusements for the people as in England. 39 ! COniiclooecl SS (SO