have kep it for you if you'd asked him, but you'd been like a bear with
a sore 'ead, 'ee said ever since Mrs. Moulsey's affair--so 'ee didn't
suppose you would.'

'Well, 'ee's about right there,' said John, grimly; ''ee's talkin sense
for onst when 'ee says that. I'd dig a hole in the hill and bury it
sooner nor I'd trust it to 'im--I would, by--' he swore vigorously. 'A
thieving set of magpies is all them Saunders--cadgin 'ere and cadgin
there.'

He spoke with fierce contempt, the tacit hatred of years leaping to
sight. Bessie's bright brown eyes looked at him with sympathy.

'It was just his nassty spite,' she said. 'He knew '_ee_ could never ha
done it--not what you've done--out o' your wages. Not unless 'ee got
Sally to tie 'im to the dresser with ropes so as 'ee couldn't go a-near
the "Spotted Deer" no more!'

She laughed like a merry child at her own witticism, and John relished
it too, though he was not in a laughing mood.

'Why'--continued Bessie with enthusiasm, 'it was Muster Drew as said to
me the other afternoon, as we was walkin 'ome from the churchyard, says
'ee, "Mrs. Costrell, I call it splendid what John's done--I _do_," 'ee
says. "A labourer on fifteen shillins a week--why it's an example to the
country," 'ee says. "'Ee ought to be showed."'

John's face relaxed. The temper and obstinacy in the eyes began to yield
to the weak complacency which was their more normal expression.