He were varry loth to do it; for Ben and him hed laked
together when they were lads, and been thick as thack iver since, till
Mary Clough came between 'em. But I noticed one thing, and I think
the jury saw it, too--when Laycock were asked, 'if he were sure it
was Ben that passed him,' he turned white to the varry lips, and could
scarce make out to whisper, _'Ay, he were sure.'_ Then Ben looked
at him, and I'll nivver forget that look, no, nor any body else that
saw it, and least of a' t' man hes got it."
"You think Laycock swore to a lie?"
"I know he swore to a lie."
"It is a pity that Ben's working-suit has never been found."
"It'll come to light; see if it doesn't."
"Who spoke for Ben?"
"I did. I told t' truth, and there's none that knows me hes a doubt
o' that. I said that Ben came home a bit early. He hed his cup o' tea
wi' me, and I told him how bad off Sarah Fisher was; and I said, 'I'll
wash up t' tea things, lad, and go bide wi' her till it's chapel time;
and so thou be ready to go wi' me.' Before I went out I looked into
Ben's room, and he'd dressed himsen up i' his Sunday clothes, and were
sitting studying i' a book called 'Mechanics;' and I said, 'Why, Ben!
Whatever hes ta put thy best clothes on for?' I knew right well it
was for Mary Clough, but I wasn't too well pleased wi' Mary, and so
I couldn't help letting him see as he weren't deceiving me; and Ben
said, 'Nivver thee mind, mother, what clothes I've on, and don't be
too late for t' chapel.
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