Bet would have married you, I don't know how
soon,--perhaps to-morrow--perhaps the next day,--but now she shall
never wed you, Isaac; for here you stay--here you stay, year in, year
out, until you confesses the truth."
"Yes--here you stay," repeated the Irish voices in full chorus, and
the women began to laugh, and the men to chuckle audibly,
"You don't mean it," said Dent. His white face grew several shades
more chalky.
"Yes," continued Hester, "we do mean it. You have managed to escape
the law, Dent, and you managed to put the best man in Liverpool under
its ban. But we've made a law ourselves, and we'll carry it out on
you. Here you stays until you confesses the truth about Will. It ain't
no good for you to make a fuss, for the police they doesn't often walk
down Paradise Row. Mother Bunch is the only policeman as has much power
here. You had better submit, Isaac, for you ha' got no loophole to act
contrarywise."
"And ef you felt this right ahrum, child, you mightn't like to feel
it a second time," burst in Mother Bunch, as she brandished this
powerful member in Dent's face.
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