“And thee didn’t see her last night at all?”
“Yes, oh yes,” said Richard, eagerly. “I did see her, and said, ‘How d’ye do.’”
“Wheer?” said Joe Banks, without moving a muscle.
“Up by the chalk pit, at the top of the hill. I’d been having a round.”
“What time?” said Joe, shortly.
“Well, let me see,” said Richard, hesitating. “I came straight down home, and it was about half-past eight when I got in.”
Joe stood thinking: the servant-girl had said that her master had come in early.
“And you didn’t see my bairn after?” said Joe, gazing full in the young man’s eyes.
“Certainly not,” said Richard.
“Will yow swear it?” said Joe.