Much

'Er brung them kids to see me yesterday. They were up and down them steps like a cat at a mouse party, and I suppose I don't mind meeting 'em, but the thing is, they don't show proper respect to an old gnome and 'is snail. The little lad just wanted to run about and point at the trees and stuff, and the little girl still thinks there are fairies at the bottom of the garden. There's a broken down fence and a great big river at the bottom of ours, I says, but she ain't listening.

They've gone 'ome now and she's cleared up the fall-out area and settled down to answer 'er letters and stuff. She might even tidy up the heap in the study. Good thing the clocks go back tonight.