'Mister,' he said, almost in tears, 'you didn't ought to go for to 'tice me! Eh! dear 'eart, the wood I could buy, and the white paint and a separator and queens from foreign parts!' He made a gesture of despair and his face worked.
'You could have a new harp if you wanted one.' Reddin suggested.
Abel gulped.
'A bargain's a bargain!' he repeated. 'And I promised the parson.' He turned away.
''Azel,' he said over his shoulder, 'you munna go along of this gent. Many's the time,' he added turning round and surveying her moodily, 'as you've gone agen me and done what I gainsayed.'
With a long imploring look he hitched the harp on his back and trudged away.
Hazel followed. But Reddin stepped in front of her.
'Look here, Hazel! You say you don't like hurting things. You're hurting me!'
Looking at his haggard face, she knew it was true.
She wiped her tears away with her sleeve.