Willa: Thanks so much for saving my typing :-) I think 'slipped' is right BTW. Apart from an 'and' and an 'as' my transcription is almost the same.

Of Aiden's kind alterations, the first I would have mentioned, the second I wouldn't have guessed in a million years. Thanks too Aiden!!

I must admit, the possibility of 'rags' being 'bags' would probably work as a 'hawker' would perhaps be a travelling saleman? I wonder if we can get a definitive answer for this one?