THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

Though the moorlanders were jealous enough about their sheep and stock rights, and quarrelled incessantly about them, they never seemed to be jealous of their women folk.  There were alien children everywhere, and everybody knew who their fathers were except the children themselves.  I was repeatedly asked by the mothers whom these children resembled, and they were evidently very proud to enlighten me.  I remember once being asked before a room full of people, by the mother of a farmer’s wife, herself the wife of a highly respected farmer, who her daughter was the “spit and image of.”  I knew of course to whom she was alluding but affected ignorance, and received a sound rating for my dullness.  The girl was a squire’s daughter.

Bishop/Patients