He winced as at a blow on it. “That’s—that’s nature,” he stammered: “I don’t suppose even females are free from snoring.”
“Maria isn’t,” observed Jinny, patting Methusalem.
Martha hurried out happily, with a piece of sugar for the same favoured beast.
“Maria’s been walking with me!” she cried rapturously.
“And eating hearty,” added Caleb. “If you ask me, she was drunk.”
“Oh, Flynt!” cried Martha. “Aren’t you ashamed to speak like that about your own pig; and before strangers?”
“But that rolled and kicked last night same as a sow Oi seen once that swallowed a thick wine. Happen Maria got swillin’ at old Peartree’s beer-barrel!”
“How could she do that?” Jinny protested.
“Turned on the tap like a Christian. Same as your Methusalem opens our gate.”
Elijah picked up his pipe and his cap and scrambled down. “Appears to me I’ve been brought here under false pretences.”