“Goin’ to open wucks, and let’s get on again, lad?”
“Whenever you men like to bring back the bands and apologise, Pannell.”
“Nay, I’ve got nowt to ’pologise for. I did my wuck, and on’y wanted to be let alone.”
“But you know who took the bands,” I cried. “You know who tried to poison our poor dog and tried to blow up the furnace, now don’t you?”
He showed his great teeth as he looked full at me.
“Why, my lad,” he said, “yow don’t think I’m going to tell, do ’ee?”
“You ought to tell,” I cried. “I’m sure you know; and it’s a cowardly shame.”
“Ay, I s’pose that’s what you think,” he said quietly. “But, say, lad, isn’t it time wuck began again?”
“Time! Yes,” I said. “Why don’t you take our side, Pannell; my uncles are your masters?”
“Ay, I know that, lad,” said the big smith quietly; “but man can’t do as he likes here i’ Arrowfield. Eh, look at that!”