And then both those women glared things unspeakable at me. They knew now, what they had only suspected before, that I was a deeply-dyed villainess with designs on them and their property.
“What’s this? Why wasn’t I told about it?” I inquired of Abigail, who, naturally, was not missing a word.
“Old Bob brought them while you were busy. He said they were for here, so of course I took them in, madam, as you said you were not to be disturbed,” with an injured sniff, “and I’ve had no opportunity to tell you since.”
The two, true to the instincts of their sex, had promptly seated themselves on the trunks, and I feared they had no intention of budging unless the trunks went with them. But the neighbourly person was anxious to be on the move; she wanted the kudos of walking through the village with them in the broad daylight, so she said—
“They’ll be all right; my ’usband’ll come round for them soon as we get back. Now don’t you worrit the least little bit.”
Thus they were got off at last.
“Puffeck ladies,” I said to myself as I seized the brown pitcher and the water-can, and went out to the spring.