She still stood staring at him in rude independence.
'The shadows is longer 'an they was a while by; mebbe it's three.'
He sighed and shifted his position wearily against the paling, as though faint with fatigue.
'You can't tell me of any place near where I can get something to eat? I have been working hard since daybreak, and now I am out of my reckoning, and tired and hungry.' He glanced down at his tools and earth-stained clothes.
He won his wish; the woman, who would not have tarried a moment for selfish pleasure, remained out of generous pity.
'I've the piece mother put up, mebbe it's big enou' for we two.'
'But I could not think of taking your luncheon,' he exclaimed, with a gallantry that was meant to be impressive, but was quite lost on his practical companion. She proceeded to open her parcel and examine the contents to see whether or not there was enough for two. He also examined it critically with his eyes, in some alarm at her prompt response to his appeal, but the thick slices of bread and meat, if not dainty, were clean, and of excellent quality.
She took the largest and thickest bit and thrust it into his hand, very much as a mother would feed her child with the portion she considered its fair share.
''Ere, ye may 'ev that, fur I shan't want it.'
'You are very kind,' he said, with a touch of sarcasm too fine for her.