"You can go," said Mrs. Prockter, curtly, to this vestige of grandeur. "I will see you before I leave."
The apron resented the dismissal, and perhaps would have taken it from none but Mrs. Prockter. But Mrs. Prockter had a mien, and a flowered silk, before which even an apron of the Wilbrahams must quail.
"I may tell you, Mr. Ollerenshaw," she remarked, confidentially, when they were alone, "that I have not the slightest intention of buying this place. Emanuel takes advantage of my good nature. You've no idea how persistent he is. So all you have to do is to advise me firmly not to buy it. That's why I've asked you to come up. He acknowledges that you're an authority, and he'll be forced to accept your judgment."
"Why didn't ye say that afore, missis?" asked James bluntly.
"Before when?"
"Before that kick-up (party) o' yours. He got out of me then as I thought it were dirt cheap at eight thousand."
"But I don't want to move," pleaded Mrs. Prockter.
"I'm asking ye why ye didn't tell me afore?" James repeated.
Mrs. Prockter looked at him. "Men are trying creatures!" she said. "So it seems you can't tell a tarradiddle for me?" And she sighed.
"I don't know as I object to that. What I object to is contradicting mysen."