260 THE GARDEN OF A 



father's desk in the study, and one for Martha 

 Corkle, whom I found down in the garden before 

 breakfast, gazing at the flowers in a state of pensive 

 admiration. Martha has not had her usual spring 

 and snap of late. I've been afraid the climate is too 

 hot for her, and I was glad to have a chance to speak 

 with her, out of doors. 



" No, Mrs. Evan, I can't say as I do feel natural 

 like. Some'ats come over me, and no disrespect 

 intended, I think it's the beer, Mrs. Evan, or, I should 

 say, the want o' it." 



" What ! beer ? " I asked in alarm, visions of the 

 stately Martha overcome by drink rising before me. 



"Maybe you never knew or else disremember, 

 Mrs. Evan, that in the old country we all had our 

 allowance of ale or 'ome-brewed, the same which is 

 meat and drink to the stomach, Mrs. Evan, mine as 

 being house-keeper never being less than eight pints 

 the week. Not that I blame you, Mrs. Evan ; for how 

 can the lady give out beer for one in a 'ouse that would 

 upset another, Mrs. Evan, and I'd not take the 

 responsibility of seein' it served to Delia, she bein' 

 Irish and so hot-headed ; and Eliza would take it to 

 heart sore, she thinkin' all beers and liquors the Devil's 

 dish-water, though she bein' herself one of the white 

 cheese breed of women that a drop o* beer would 



