'Why, Vessons?' he said in rather a sheepish tone.

Vessons did not turn. He fumbled with the door-handle. Reddin got up
and went across to him.

'Why, Vessons?' he said again, with a hand on his shoulder. 'You and I
can't part, you know.'

'We mun.'

'But why, man? What's up with you, Andrew?'

The rare Christian name softened Vessons. He deigned to explain. 'She
is,' he said, with a sidelong nod at Hazel. 'She mocked me.'

'Did you, Hazel?'

'Now then, missus!' Vessons glared at her.

'I only said--'

'Her said, "Never will I!"' shouted Vessons. 'Ah, that's what her
said--"Never will I!" That's what _I_ say,' he added with the
pride of a phrase-maker.

Reddin could make nothing of them, one so red and angry, the other in
tears.

'I'll do no 'ooman's will!' said Vessons.