"They'm like the false gods o' the Bible: they think nought of axing the men to gash themselves with knives. The biggest fool of a woman as ever cumbered earth can always be clever at inventing tortures for the men."
"'Tis all very well; but if I take Sarah Jane, you'll have to marry again yourself, Mr. Friend," said Daniel.
"Not me. I had one good one. I drew a prize, though she was always wrong about Amicombe Hill. Ban't in reason to expect two prizes."
Presently Daniel appeared with shaven cheeks before Sarah Jane. He left her to discover the loss, and she did so in an instant.
"My stars! if it isn't as though you was another man!" she said. "But I wasn't quite tired of them all the same. I think I must ax 'e to put on a beard, Dan. I like 'em, because faither's got one."
"I could easy enough; my chin be like a stubble field after I've let him bide a day or two."
"But I couldn't rub my cheek against it while 'twas coming!'
"Better let me go as I am."
"I'll think about that. Be you going to stop to supper?"
"Can't, worse luck. I've promised to be back for a few indoor jobs this evening."