"And what then?"

"Then I came down here, and I was afeard, and I went back; but I didn't
like to speak to her, because of the gentleman, and I came on here
again."

"A gentleman--ah! What did she say to him, my man?"

"Told him she supposed he had not married the other woman because he
liked his old sweetheart best; and things like that."

"What did the gentleman say to her, my sonny?"

"He only said he did like her best, and how he was coming to see her
again under Rainbarrow o' nights."

"Ha!" cried the reddleman, slapping his hand against the side of his van
so that the whole fabric shook under the blow. "That's the secret o't!"

The little boy jumped clean from the stool.

"My man, don't you be afraid," said the dealer in red, suddenly becoming
gentle. "I forgot you were here. That's only a curious way reddlemen
have of going mad for a moment; but they don't hurt anybody. And what
did the lady say then?"

"I can't mind. Please, Master Reddleman, may I go home-along now?"

"Ay, to be sure you may. I'll go a bit of ways with you."