“Master didn’t tell you to stop me, you great stupid. Let me go by.”
“Nay, I shan’t,” said Joe. “You’re off on larks, and he arn’t here now.”
“Who isn’t here?” cried Dally.
“You know. He’s gone to London, where he’d better stop.”
Daily’s wrath hissed again, and she was about to say something angrily, but she dreaded a scene, and tried the other tack.
“Now, don’t be foolish, there’s a dear, good man,” she said softly. “I just want to go a little way.”
“Wi’ an umbrella and a bag, eh?” said Joe. “Parson Salis don’t know you’re off out, I know.”
“What nonsense, Joe!”
“Don’t you Joe me, ma’am; my name’s Mr Chegg, and you wouldn’t whisper and carny and be civil if you weren’t up to some games.”
“Oh, what a foolish man you are, Joe Chegg!”