Isaac brought his slow, ruminative gaze to bear on her.
‘Why, what upset do ye mean, Mrs. Belbin? Things be like to be upset now that the master’s gone to the New House. But I hope as your son an’ the rest of ’em be giving the widow so little trouble as ever they can.’
‘I dunno about that, sir. My Sam he do tell I as there was a regular blow-up this mornin’. I d’ ’low as my son he did behave so well as ever he could. Says he to Mrs. Fiander, “Mum,” he says, “I have n’t no fault to find wi’ you at all; and I’ll do my hendeavours to gi’e ye satisfaction.” That were what he did say—my son Sam did; but there was others as, accordin’ to all accounts, went on most scandalious.’
Here Mrs. Belbin rolled up her eyes and wagged her head significantly.
‘Ah,’ put in Mrs. Paddock, hastening to cross the road and join in the conversation, ‘it did give me sich a turn when I heard on it, that I did sit down on the table. ’T were a good job as I did, else I should ha’ fell down. Sich doin’s! The whole lot of ’em—aye, every single one as works for her—marchin’ up to give her notice! ’T was enough to frighten a pore lone woman out of her wits.’
‘I have n’t heard a word of this,’ cried Isaac emphatically. ‘The men gave her notice, d’ ye say?’
‘All except my Sam,’ put in Mrs. Belbin proudly. ‘’Ees, they all did go up in a lump, so to speak, and noticed her, one arter the other, till it come to my Sam’s turn, an’ then he up an’ says, “Mrs. Fiander, mum,” says he, “I have n’t got no fault to find wi’ ye;” and a few more, when they heard that, heartened theirselves up and follered his example.’
‘’T was very well done o’ your Sam,’ said Mrs. Paddock in a complimentary tone; ‘but as for them others—why, they do say as Abel Hunt were a-dancin’ an’ a-swearin’ like a madman. “I want no orderin’ from danged women-folk,” says he, just so bold as if the missus was his wife. And Job, he did shout at her so rough, and speak so impident! ’T was really shockin’!’
‘I must go up and see her,’ said Sharpe, much perturbed. ‘I’m sure I don’t know whatever’s come to folks these times. As to them Hunts—I’ll gi’e them a bit o’ my mind. They should be ashamed o’ theirselves to treat a pore young creature so disrespectful. They do think, I s’ppose, as Mrs. Fiander has n’t got nobody to purtect her, and they can serve her so bad as they like. But them as was friends to her husband is friends to her. Pore young thing! Well, I be glad your son did do his duty by her, anyways, Mrs. Belbin. My Father A’mighty, these be times!’
He walked away at an accelerated pace, the women looking after him.