'Indeed, I do not know anything about it.'
'Ye doän't know!'
'I do not know.'
The animation of hope slowly faded from her face, giving place to a look of bitter disappointment. It was as if a little child, suddenly denied some darling wish, should have strength to restrain its tears and mutely acquiesce in the inevitable.
'Then there's nowt to say,' she said, rising, sullen in the first moment of pain.
'But you'll tell me why you have asked?' he begged; 'I am very sorry indeed that I cannot answer.'
'Noä, I'll not tell ye, fur it's no concern o' yours; but thank ye kindly, sir, all the same. Yer an honest man. Good-day.'
With that she walked resolutely away, nor would she accept his offer of payment for the food she had given. He stood and watched her, feeling checkmated, until he saw her exchange greetings with the ploughman, who reached the end of his furrow as she passed the side of the field. Seeing this, he took up his specimens and walked slowly in the same direction, waiting for the ploughman's next return. As he stood at the hedge he noticed that the labourer, who appeared to be a middle-aged man of average intelligence, surveyed him with more than ordinary interest.
'Good-day,' he said.
'Good-day, sir.' There was a clank of the chains, a shout and groan to the horses, and they stopped beside the hedge.