“Hey! look at ’em now!—the curiosity of these women folk! Here’s owd Mother Pinet with her neck stretched out o’ window, and Barton at the shop, and Cross at the ‘Chequers,’ and Dawson the carrier, all got their heads out, staring after that woman. Now, where’s she going, I wonder?”
Old Gemp stumped back into the shop, shaving away at his cheek.
“She can’t be going over to Lindum to see Hallam, because she went yesterday.”
The tailor’s shears clicked as a corner was taken out of a piece of cloth.
“She ain’t going up to the doctor’s, because he drove by half-an-hour ago with the owd lady.”
Another click.
“Can’t be going for a walk. Wouldn’t go for a walk at a time like this. I’ve often wondered why folk do go for walks, Master Gorringe. I never did.”
Click!
“Nay, Master Gemp, you could always find enough to see and do in the town, eh?”
“Plenty! plenty, mun, plenty!—I’ve got it!”