'When I say "well," I mean what d'you want?'
'Allus say what you mean.'
'Who d'you want? Me?'
'The master.'
'The master's out.'
'I'll wait, then.'
He sat down by the fire, and looked so fixedly at Martha as she poured out her tea that she offered him some in self-defence. He drew up his chair. Now that he was receiving hospitality, he felt that he must be agreeable and complimentary.
'Single, I suppose?' he asked.
'Ah,' said Martha coyly, 'I'm single; but I've no objection to matrimony.'
'Oh!' Vessons spoke sourly, 'I'm sorry for you, then.'