'Don't you know?'
'If I knew, I shouldna ask.'
'What do men generally want women for?'
'I'm not a woman. I dunna want to be. But what be it, anyway?'
He felt in his pocket and drew out a small parcel.
'There! Don't say the giving's all on your side,' he remarked.
She opened the parcel. It contained two heavy old-fashioned gold bracelets. Each was set with a large ruby that stared unwinkingly from its setting of pale gold.
'Eh! they'm like drops of blood!' said Hazel. 'Like when fayther starts a-killing the pig. He's a hard un, is fayther, hard as b'rytes. I'm much obleeged to you, Mr. Reddin, but I dunna want 'em. I canna'd abear the sight of blood.'
'Little fool!' said Reddin. 'They're worth pounds.'
He caught her wrists and fastened one bracelet on each. She struggled, but could not get free or undo the clasps.