"1 wonder at you, I wonder at you, great-grandmother," exclaimed Lucy. "I wonder at you hoarding up the money, and you so old."
"Wouldst like to see me play ducks and drakes with it in the beck?"
Lucy tossed her head impatiently.
"Why do you keep Barbara and me penniless?" she asked.
"I feed you well and clothe you warm—what more dost need?"
"Barbara," began Lucy, but the old woman interrupted her.
"What's Barbara complaining about?"
"Barbara never complains. But I know she's heart-sick for something better than a lone life on the fells."
"If she's sweethearting," said Mistress Lynn, "if she's taken up with a lad, I's nought to say against it," for the old woman thought that the services of a young strong man would be of great value now that Jan Straw was past work.
"Sweethearting!" replied Lucy. "It's learning Barbara's after!"