He spoke in such a manner that she pushed her stool still farther back, and sat staring at him blankly and with some indignation.
"He does na say nowt about her," she exclaimed "What's up wi' thee?"
The next moment she uttered an ejaculation and the book of memoirs fell upon the floor. A flame shot up from the fire and showed her his face. He drew forth his purse and, opening it, took out a coin. The light fell upon that too and showed her what it was.
"Do you see that?" he asked.
"Aye," she answered, "it's a half-sov'rin."
"I'll give it to you," he said, "if you'll tell me what he says and what he does. You're sharp enow to have seen summat, and I'll give it you if you'll tell me."
He did not care what impression he made on her or how he entangled himself. He only thought of one thing.
"Tell me what he says and what he does," he repeated, "and I'll give it to you."
Janey rose from her stool in such a hurry that it lost its balance and fell over.