Then a passion of tears shook her.
'Oh, I want Ed'ard and the old lady! I want to go back to the Mountain,
I do! Ed'ard'll be looking me up and down the country.'
'Good Lord, so he will!' said Reddin, 'and rousing the whole place. You must write a letter, Hazel, to say you're safe and happy, and he's not to worry.'
'But I amna.'
Reddin frowned at the spontaneity of this. But he made her write the note.
'Saddle the mare, Vessons, and take this to the Mountain.'
'You dunna mind how much—' began Vessons. But Reddin cut him short.
'Get on,' he said, and Vessons knew by the tone that he had better.
'Push it under the parson's door, knock, and make yourself scarce,
Vessons,' Reddin ordered.
'You can go up to bed if you like, Hazel.'
Left alone, he walked up and down the room, puzzled and uneasy.