Richard released him with a parting admonition to look out, and Cross went on his way with a staggering gait, and stuffing his pocket-handkerchief into his mouth.
Richard, still in a white heat of passion, was striding along at a tremendous rate, when he suddenly observed the large white-clad person of his uncle standing contemplatively some twenty yards away from the scene of the encounter. His good humoured face wore a pleasant and satisfied smile.
‘Well done, lad!’ he remarked, as soon as Richard came within hearing. ‘Ye did give it ’en in style! I never did see nothing more neat. I do rather think, Richard, as Mr. Sam’el Cross ’ull have the toothache. I d’ ’low he will.’
‘I only wish I had made every bone in his body ache!’ cried Richard, still fuming.
‘I d’ ’low as he said something as ann’yed ’ee, Richard,’ said the farmer, ceasing his placid chuckles and looking intently at his nephew.
‘Yes,’ returned Richard, ‘he annoyed me very much. He—in point of fact, he insulted me.’
‘Well, now,’ commented Isaac, ‘that was strange. I did n’t think he’d insult ’ee to your face, Richard. He was a-talkin’ to me jist now, and he did say some very insultin’ things agen you—but that was behind your back, d’ ye see? I did n’t think the chap would acshally go for to say ’em to your face.’
‘What did he say of me?’ said Richard breathlessly.
‘Why, he did say redic’lous things about you and Mrs. F. Ah, the little raskil could n’t so much as leave Mrs. F.’s name out! And he were very oncivil to me—ye ’d scarce believe how oncivil he were. Up and told me straight out as if I did n’t look out you’d be snappin’ up Mrs. F. without “By your leave,” or “With your leave.” But I give it ’en back well, I can tell ’ee. Says I, “My nevvy bain’t a snapper,” says I. Them was my very words. “Ye little treecherous spy,” I says, “don’t ’ee be a-pokin’ your nose into other folks’ business. I know my nevvy,” I says, “and my nevvy bain’t a snapper.”’
Here Isaac paused to chuckle jubilantly, and, turning, slapped his nephew jovially on the back.