"Oh, I don't know," said Nell. "What does that matter? and, indeed, I can't say I have seen any pride in the Mishtress."
"Oh, dir anwl!" said Sara spitefully, "who could show pride to a poor, humble creature like thee. I have seen how thou hast flattered and fawned upon her; but I don't think thy porridge will be any the thicker for it. As for me, I never cringe to anyone. I can hold up my head with anyone in the village. My father was never suspected of sheep-stealing, and my uncle's wife's brother never had occasion to keep accounts to satisfy his master. No! nor my mother never promised to make a quilt for four shillings, and then charge six shillings for it!"
This last thrust, alluding to something that was within Nell's memories, was unbearable.
"Dost dare to say that my father stole sheep?" she said, with arms akimbo, and looking with flashing eyes across the broom hedge. "Dost dare to say my uncle's wife's brother stole his master's money? I'll have the law upon thee as sure as——"
"The law!" said Sara. "I defy the law, and thee into the bargain! I never said thy father stole a sheep. I only said my father never did. No! and I'll tell thee another thing—my daughter never tripped on her way to the marriage market!"
At this last shaft, poor Nell was completely crushed, and finished spreading out her flannels in silence, while Sara retired up the garden with flying colours.
[[1]] Good-day!
[[2]] Longing.
[[3]] Girl.
[[4]] A drink made of fermented honey.