Then saith my wife, after that his third visit was o'er, and speaking to Keren as she sat spinning i' th' door-way, "Happuch," saith she, "thou art serving thy cousin Ruth a very jade's trick."
Then, hearing as how she did call her "Happuch," I did prick up my ears, as 'twere; for I knew there was anger brewing.
"Thou art very free with thy words to-day, mother," quoth the maid, a-spinning very quickly.
"Not so free as thou art with thy favors to the sweetheart o' another lass," replied her mother.
"How dost thou know he is the sweetheart o' another lass?" saith Keren.
"If an he be not," quoth her mother, who, though not half so big as her child, was in nowise less valiant—"if an he be not," quoth she, "'tis time he were."
"And for why?" saith Keren.
"Thou knowest as well as I do, Happuch," saith my wife; whereat up started my crack-brain in a fine fury.
"Why wilt thou call me that vile name, when thou knowest how it maddens me?" saith she, hurling her spindle upon the floor, and tightening both her pretty hands so that they looked like balls o' her own brown yarn.
"For that I am not pleased with thee, Happuch," saith her mother, with all composure, looking at the linen as she washed it, with her head cocked to one side.