bumfit

• But my feyther minds how his feyther used allus to count by 'em And he began the catalogue of those ancient numerals by which the northern dalesman of a hundred years ago were still accustomed to reckon their sheep, words that go back to the very infancy of man Yan--tyan--tethera--methera--pimp; sethera--lethera--hovera--dovera--dick Lydia's face dissolved in laughter--and when the old man delighting in her amusement went on to the compounds of ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, and the rest Yan-a-dick--tyan-a-dick--tethera-a-dick--methera-a-dick--bumfit At "bumfit" (fifteen) they both rocked with merriment, the old man carried away by the infection of hers Go on," said Lydia--the tears of laughter in her eyes--"up to twenty, and then hear me say them Yan-a-bumfit--tyan-a-bumfit--tethera-a-bumfit--methera-a-bumfit--giggot" (twenty Giggot" set them both off again--and then Lydia--stumbling, laughing, and often corrected, said her lesson By the time she was fairly perfect, and the old man had straightened himself again under his load--a veritable "good shepherd," glorified by the evening light--they parted with a friendly nod, glad to have met and sure to meet again I'll come and see Bessie soon," she said gently, as she moved on Aye. —  The Mating of Lydia

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