“Mak' him promise to keep his mouth shut,” suggested No. 3. “He'll do it sooner nor get hissen into trouble.”
“Wilt ta?” demanded the young one.
Jud looked up at him. He had the stubborn North country blood in him, and the North country courage. Having heard what he had, he was sharp enough to comprehend all. There was only one engineer whom Lowrie could have a grudge against, and that one was Derrick. They were going to work some harm against “Mester Derrick,” who was his friend and Miss Anice's.
“Wilt ta?” repeated his questioner, feeling quite sure of him. The youth of Riggan were generally ready enough for mischief, and troubled by no scruples of conscience, so the answer he received took him by surprise.
“Nay,” said Jud, “I will na.”
“Tha will na?”
“Nay.”
The fellow fell back a step or two to stare at him.
“Well, tha'rt a plucky one at ony rate,” he growled, discomfited.
Jud stood his ground.