‘Only that night, and the last night.’
‘What did you see of him on the last night, after I was gone?’
‘Them two clever ones had him all alone to themselves. Jeremiah come a dancing at me sideways, after I had let you out (he always comes a dancing at me sideways when he’s going to hurt me), and he said to me, “Now, Affery,” he said, “I am a coming behind you, my woman, and a going to run you up.” So he took and squeezed the back of my neck in his hand, till it made me open my mouth, and then he pushed me before him to bed, squeezing all the way. That’s what he calls running me up, he do. Oh, he’s a wicked one!’
‘And did you hear or see no more, Affery?’
‘Don’t I tell you I was sent to bed, Arthur! Here he is!’
‘I assure you he is still at the door. Those whisperings and counsellings, Affery, that you have spoken of. What are they?’
‘How should I know? Don’t ask me nothing about ‘em, Arthur. Get away!’
‘But my dear Affery; unless I can gain some insight into these hidden things, in spite of your husband and in spite of my mother, ruin will come of it.’
‘Don’t ask me nothing,’ repeated Affery. ‘I have been in a dream for ever so long. Go away, go away!’
‘You said that before,’ returned Arthur. ‘You used the same expression that night, at the door, when I asked you what was going on here. What do you mean by being in a dream?’