'I have had my dinner, father, for all that,' said Meg, coming
nearer to him. 'And if you'll go on with yours, I'll tell you how
and where; and how your dinner came to be brought; and--and
something else besides.'

Toby still appeared incredulous; but she looked into his face with
her clear eyes, and laying her hand upon his shoulder, motioned him
to go on while the meat was hot. So Trotty took up his knife and
fork again, and went to work. But much more slowly than before,
and shaking his head, as if he were not at all pleased with
himself.

'I had my dinner, father,' said Meg, after a little hesitation,
'with--with Richard. His dinner-time was early; and as he brought
his dinner with him when he came to see me, we--we had it together,
father.'

Trotty took a little beer, and smacked his lips. Then he said,
'Oh!'--because she waited.

'And Richard says, father--' Meg resumed. Then stopped.

'What does Richard say, Meg?' asked Toby.

'Richard says, father--' Another stoppage.

'Richard's a long time saying it,' said Toby.

'He says then, father,' Meg continued, lifting up her eyes at last,
and speaking in a tremble, but quite plainly; 'another year is