“Is it possible?”
“Yes, and then they told her to go in and ask her master if he wanted any trays, and she said she knew he didn’t, because she had bought one for him not long before that, and she had the control of these things herself; and she declared that she wasn’t going to trouble her master for nothing. When they saw she wasn’t to be got out of the room, they did abuse her frightfully, and she did not stir for all their bullying. Oh, she’s a tartar, and no mistake.”
Mrs. Bagley heard the farmer out so far, on the chance of picking up some additional gossip, under which circumstances alone she consented to listen to anyone’s tongue but her own.
Ashbrook having told his story, she fired away again, and related to him, at full length, all the burglaries which had been committed in the neighbourhood and the surrounding districts for years past.
“Well, I’m much obliged to you for the information you have given us, Mrs. Bagley, and that be all I can gi’ ye in return,” said Ashbrook, rising, and preparing to take his departure.
“I don’t want anything else—nay, not even that—for you are quite welcome, and I be glad to see ’ee and miss—I beg pardon—Mrs. Ashbrook as is, and Miss Jamblin as was.”
“But I say,” cried the farmer, “your hedge wants trimming; it’s the only untidy thing about the place. I’ll send a man up to do it for ’ee.”
“I am sure you are very kind, sir,” said the old woman, dropping a curtsey. “It do mek me wild like, when I ses it, but I aint strong enough to do a job like that, and the earl, if he were to pass by, I know he’d be more annoyed than what I be myself. ’Course, he’s a very particular gentleman, and so kind I’m sure I ought to pray for him, for he’s been that kind.”
“Oh, no doubt, he is to all his tenants, dependents, and, in short, everybody,” said Ashbrook sidling towards the door, and nudging Patty to follow him.
“I’ll send round one of my people, either to-morrow or next day, depend upon that,” cried Ashbrook, as he passed out of the house. “Good-bye.”