'Thank yo'. There's many on 'em gets no more, and is not so bad

off,--leastways does not show it as he does. But father won't let

'em want, now he knows. Yo' see, Boucher's been pulled down wi'

his childer,--and her being so cranky, and a' they could pawn has

gone this last twelvemonth. Yo're not to think we'd ha' letten

'em clem, for all we're a bit pressed oursel'; if neighbours

doesn't see after neighbours, I dunno who will.' Bessy seemed

almost afraid lest Margaret should think they had not the will,

and, to a certain degree, the power of helping one whom she

evidently regarded as having a claim upon them. 'Besides,' she

went on, 'father is sure and positive the masters must give in

within these next few days,--that they canna hould on much

longer. But I thank yo' all the same,--I thank yo' for mysel', as

much as for Boucher, for it just makes my heart warm to yo' more

and more.' Bessy seemed much quieter to-day, but fearfully languid a

exhausted. As she finished speaking, she looked so faint and

weary that Margaret became alarmed.

'It's nout,' said Bessy. 'It's not death yet. I had a fearfu'

night wi' dreams--or somewhat like dreams, for I were wide

awake--and I'm all in a swounding daze to-day,--only yon poor

chap made me alive again. No! it's not death yet, but death is

not far off. Ay! Cover me up, and I'll may be sleep, if th' cough

will let me. Good night--good afternoon, m'appen I should

say--but th' light is dim an' misty to-day.'




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024