“I’m sorry I set that trap,” I said, looking up at her rough, pleasant face, and wondering how such a sneaking, malignant fellow could have won so good a wife.
“I’m not,” she said laughing. “It sarved him right, so say no more about it.”
That tea was like nectar, and seemed to clear my head, so that I felt nearly recovered save when I tried to rise, and then I was in a good deal of pain. But I deemed myself equal to going, and was about to start when I missed my cap.
“Hey, but that’ll be gone,” she said. “Oh, they boys! Well, yow must hev Dick’s.”
Before I could protest she went upstairs, and returned with a decent-looking cap, which I promised to return, and then, bidding my Samaritan-like hostess good-bye, I walked firmly out of her sight, and then literally began to hobble, and was glad as soon as I could get into the main road to hail one of the town cabs and be driven home, not feeling strong enough to go to the works and tell of my mishap.
Mr Tomplin came in that evening after Uncle Dick had heard all my narrative and Uncle Bob had walked up and down the room, driving his fist into his hand every now and then with a loud pat.
We had had a long conversation, in which I had taken part with a terribly aching head, and I should have gone to bed only I would not show the white feather.
For they all three made this a reason why I should give up to them, and after all go back.
“You see the men are dead against us, Cob, and the boys follow suit, and are against you.” So said Uncle Dick.
“All the men are not against you,” I said. “Look at Pannell! He has come round, and,” I added, with a laugh that hurt me horribly, “I shall have some of the boys come round and help me.”