God moves in a mysterious way."
"And he needs to, Sister Phyllis. There's many a soul 'ud run away
from him, even when he was coming to help 'em, if they knew it was
him." "I understand what you mean, Martha--'as a thief in the night.'
He breaks all bars and bursts all doors closed against him when he
visits either a soul or a cause. I heard you were at Leeds. Do you
mind telling us how things went? The squire will not talk to any one."
"I nivver was one to shut my grief up i' my heart, and let it poison
my life; not I, indeed. It seemed to me, though, as varry little fight
were made for Ben Clough afore he died; he'd signed a paper, declaring
positive as it were Ben who shot him; and t' case were half done when
that were said. Then Bingley were sworn, and he said, as he were
coming ovver t' moor, about half past six, he heard a shot, and saw
Ben Craven come from behind a whin bush, and run toward t' village;
and a minute after Bill Laycock came in sight; and Ben, he said, ran
past him, also; and Laycock looked after Ben, and said to Bingley--
'that's Ben Craven; he's in a bit of a hurry, I think.'"
"Was Laycock coming from the moor also?"
"Nay, he was coming from t' village, and was going across t' moor to
a knur match on Eltham Common."
"Did Laycock swear to that?"
"Ay, he did.
Pages:
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57