“An’ put a penny in his pocket,” added Lucy, “for luck.”
“It should be a shilling if it’s to match the pinch,” laughed Tom, rubbing his arm. “But where’s your bonnet, Hannah, and your hat, Lucy?”
“What’s ta thinkin’ on, Tom?” asked Ben.
“Why that we’re all going to the field together. I’m going to wheel Lucy and stand by her, and you and Hannah are to enjoy yourselves with the other young folk.”
Ben protested he wouldn’t budge an inch. “Not but what he liked to see th’ childer enjoy theirsen, but Whissunday wer’ a heathenish festival an’ a relic o’ superstition.”
“But you’ve knocked off work and donned—I mean dressed yourself,” remonstrated Tom.
“Aye at nooinin’. Who could wark wi’ that blethrin’ brass band brayin’ up an’ down th’ street?”
Mrs. Garside looked at Lucy. “It ’ud be a treeat for th’ lass,” she said.
“I should like it, but I should only be a hindrance. Fancy Tom standing by me for hours at a stretch and all the other young men in the field enjoying themselves. Take mother, father, and I’ll stop at home. No one will run away with me.” she added bravely, but there was a tear in her voice.
“If you stop at home, I stop,” said Tom emphatically. “Besides, as for being tied to your side all the time, when you get tired of me, and mother there’s tired of mooning about with Ben, we can take turn and turn about. I couldn’t enjoy myself a bit if you were stuck here all by yourself, and what’s more, I won’t try.”