“Nothing inside of me will, mother.”
“Doesn't she but never mind. I've no right to ask, Robert; and if I have curiosity, it's about last night, and why you should let villains escape. But there's no accounting for a man's notions; only, this I say, and I do say it, Nic Sedgett, he's at the bottom of any mischief brewed against you down here. And last night Stephen Bilton, or somebody, declared that Nic Sedgett had been seen up at Fairly.”
“Selling eggs, mother. Why shouldn't he? We mustn't complain of his getting an honest livelihood.”
“He's black-blooded, Robert; and I never can understand why the Lord did not make him a beast in face. I'm told that creature's found pleasing by the girls.”
“Ugh, mother, I'm not.”
“She won't have you, Robert?”
He laughed. “We shall see to-day.”
“You deceiving boy!” cried the widow; “and me not know it's Mrs. Lovell you're going to meet! and would to heaven she'd see the worth of ye, for it's a born lady you ought to marry.”
“Just feel in my pockets, mother, and you won't be so ready with your talk of my marrying. And now I'll get up. I feel as if my legs had to learn over again how to bear me. The old dad, bless his heart! gave me sound wind and limb to begin upon, so I'm not easily stumped, you see, though I've been near on it once or twice in my life.”
Mrs. Boulby murmured, “Ah! are you still going to be at war with those gentlemen, Robert?”