"Nor yet me: I must do what I must, and the journey's got to be took. Because I may be useful in one place, though I can't be in another.... 'Tis a bitter cruel thing to be misunderstood, Samson."
"So it is--as I said last time Joshua gave me a lacing and found out after 'twas Nap," he answered.
"When might you start?" asked Richard.
"There's nought to keep me--my usefulness be ended. But I'm that terrible hungry."
"I should go home along and have a bit of supper first."
"No, no, Sam. Good-byes be such sad things. Better I go without 'em. Bartley, he went off without, and he was wise. But I see'd him set out. All the same, his journey's but a span long to mine."
The boys were puzzled. They talked together.
"Might us give her a biscuit--one of them big uns?" whispered Richard; but Samson refused.
"No. 'Twill be found out, and of course they'll say we ate it."
"Where do 'e set out from?" asked Richard.