"What the blazes have I done to upset Jin?" I asked.
"Why didna y' bring 'er back wi' ye, then?"
"Who's her, you jolt-head?" I demanded angrily.
"That leddy o' yourn. Jin's that upset 'er wunna luk at me, an' we wor gettin' on fine."
It was no use talking to Joe. I explained that she was a great lady and was to marry a marquess, that is a much more important person than an earl. He knew what an earl was, for of course he had heard of the 'Yurl,' meaning that old rascal Ridgeley. A marquess, however, was outside his ken, and the information was wasted.
"Why didna y' marry 'er y'rsel', Master Noll, and bring 'er back 'ere, then Jin wud 'a' bin all rate?"
"I couldn't," said I.
"Did y' ask 'er?"
"No."
"More fule yow," said he bitterly. "She'd 'a' 'ad y', rate enough. Jin says so, an' 'er knows."