“A strange hour for a walk, sure enough!” he said. “What wonnerful secret be taking you on the Moor at this time of night?”
“It be a secret,” she answered, “so ax me no more about it, an’ go on your way.”
“I’ll tell you another secret for yours, Minnie Merle. Wheer be you gwaine so quick?”
“To Wistman’s Wood—that much I’ll let you know—no more. Now go your way, Elias, like a gude man.”
“Ban’t you feared?”
“Not of Wistman’s Wood. ’Tis nought but a cluster of honest old trees.”
“Well, I’ll come along with you.”
“An’ I won’t let you. Three’s no company.” Elias stared and shifted his walking-stick from one hand to the other.
“Gwaine to meet somebody?”
“Why not?”