Fortunately, she had in this sense of
performed duty all the reward she asked or expected, for if it had
not satisfied her, she would have surely been grieved and disappointed
with the way the information was generally received. No one is ever
surprised at a bad action, but a good one makes human nature at once
look for a bad motive for it.
"She's found out that it wont pay her to hold on to other folks' money.
Why-a! nobody notices her, and nivver a sweetheart comes her way."
"I thought we'd bring her to terms, if we nobbut made it hot enough
for her. Bless you, Josiah! women folks can't live without their
cronying and companying."
"It's nobbut right she should pay ivery penny, and I tell'd her so
last time I met her on Hallam Common."
"Did ta? Why, thou hed gumption! Whativer did she say to thee?"
"She reddened up like t' old squire used to, and her eyes snapped like
two pistols; and says she, 'Marmaduke Halcroft, you'll get every
farthing o' your money when I get ready to pay it.'"
"Thank you, miss," says I, "all the same, I'll be bold to mention that
I've waited going on five years for it."
"'And you may wait five years longer, for there are others besides
you,' says she, as peacocky as any thing, 'but you'll get it;' and
wi' that, she laid her whip across her mare in a way as made me feel
it were across my face, and went away so quick I couldn't get another
word in.
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