"I did, sir, and very thankful to!"
"Was your husband at home?"
"He were not, sir. Which Spizey had gone out to have his glass, sir—as is his custom."
"Did Mr. Krevin Crood come to you with the keys of the church?"
"He did, sir. Which the clock had just struck eight. And remarked, sir, that the light was failing, and that his eyes wasn't as strong as they had been. Pleasant-like, sir."
"I see! Had Mr. Krevin Crood any papers in his hand?"
"He had papers in his hand, sir, or under his arm."
"And that was just after eight o'clock?"
"The clocks had just struck it, sir."
Meeking nodded his dismissal of Mrs. Spizey. It was plain that he was getting near the end of his case and his manner became sharp and almost abrupt.