"Well, you haven't said all you meant to say," she presently remarked.
"I told you—" Jack's voice was too husky to proceed.
"And I suppose you thought I'd want you to leave your mother to manage for herself, while you just went on working for me? A nice thing to think!"
Jessie's tone was full of scorn. This was not what Jack had expected her to say, either. He ventured to look in her direction, and saw two bright eyes sparkling with tears.
"Jessie—"
"Jack, you're a donkey; that's what you are! I wouldn't have thought you could have been so stupid!" Jessie stamped her foot upon the grass. "I wouldn't! You ought to have more sense."
"I've got mother and the children to see to," Jack said helplessly.
"As if I didn't know that! And as if I'd ever look at you again, if you could go and leave your mother to get on as she could, while you were only thinking of yourself—well, and of me, if you like! That 'ud mean the same thing. If you could, I should despise you, Jack."
"Then you think I'm doing what's right?"
"You couldn't do anything else. I only wish I had a mother to work for. But I have—almost," she added, under her breath.