KNOW-ALL
'You know Charlie, the jobbin' gardener? Proper know-all, 'e was. Well, 'e always works at Miss M's, weedin' the paths, The old lady used to tell 'im what to do, but 'e always done exactly what 'e wanted an' ignored 'er. In the late spring 'e come there an' she set 'im weedin'. "Don't bother to do round them bee'ives," she said, but of course that didn't count with Charlie. First thing off 'e was workin' round the bee'ives. Miss M come out. "I tole you not to go near them bee'ives," she said, but Charlie only 'oed 'arder. "What for?" 'e said over 'is shoulder. "Them bees all died last year!" an' e works the 'oe so vigorous that the end of it knocks the nearest 'ive over. Them bees must 'ave been waitin' for just that. Out they come and gave Charlie nigh on a thousan' stings. For two days 'e was so swollen-'eaded you wouldn't 'a' knowed 'im, but 'e does what Miss M wants now. When 'e starts she says, "Course, you can do it the way I want, or do it your way like you done over the bees!" an' that's enough for Charlie.'
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