'Why not?'

'He wunna let me.'

With that phrase, all unconsciously, she took a most ample revenge on
the Clombers; for it rang in their ears all night, and they knew it was
true.




Chapter 29


On Sunday Vessons put his resolve--to go to the Mountain and reveal
Hazel's whereabouts--into practice. If he had waited, gossip would have
done it for him. He set out in the afternoon, having 'cleaned' himself
and put on his pepper-and-salt suit, buff leggings, red waistcoat, and
the jockey-like cap he affected. He arrived at the back door just as
Martha was taking in supper.

'Well?' said Martha, who wanted to have her meal and go home.

'Well?' said Vessons.

'When I say "well," I mean what d'you want?'

'Allus say what you mean.'

'Who d'you want? Me?'