“Then you may carry her yourself to Canterbury,” returned the constable. “I cannot go this week, and I have nobody to send.”
“Give me a royal farthing, and I will!” was the savage answer.
The constable looked in his face to see if he meant it. Then he shook his head, dipped his hand into his purse, and pulled out half-a-crown, which he passed to Mr Benden, who pocketed this price of blood. Alice had walked on down the Market Place, and was out of hearing. Mr Benden strode after her, with the half-crown in his pocket.
Chapter Nine.
Alice decides for herself.
“Not that road, Mistress!”
Alice had nearly reached the end of the Market Place, when her husband’s harsh call arrested her. She had been walking slowly on, so that he might overtake her. On hearing this, she paused and waited for him to come up.
“That’s not the way to Canterbury!” said Mr Benden, seizing her by the wrist, and turning her round.