“Because you be so nice an’ hairy, like old baboon I sees at Wilverley Fair.”
Nicodemus accepted this as a compliment. A bell began to boom loudly. Both Martha and the Ancient were startled.
“Dang me, if that bain’t big bell up at Hall!”
He half-staggered to his feet, and fell back.
“I be fair ashamed o’ my legs,” he observed solemnly. Then, as the bell boomed out even more violently, he cocked his head at Martha.
“Something be up, Marthy. You climb tree, Nicky, and tell us what you sees.”
“The lad might break his neck,” suggested Martha.
“You climb tree,” commanded Nicodemus, “or I’ll warm your starn-sheets for ’ee.”
“I likes to climb trees, I do.”
“Then up you goes.”