'I've got a right to. She's mine,' was his idea.
It was not till a week after Hazel's coming that Reddin pulled himself together, and went to interview Sally Haggard. Vessons, observing the fact, repaired to Sally's cottage on his master's return, and found her in tears. To see this heavy-browed, big-boned woman crying so startled him that he contemplated her in silence.
'Well, fool, can't you speak?' she said.
'I dare say now as he wants you to move on?' queried Vessons.
'Ah.'
'Because of this other young 'ooman he's brought?'
'Ah, what's the good o' mouthing it? I bin faithful to 'im; I hanna gone with others. All the chillun's his'n. And never come near me, he didna, when my time come. And now it's "go!"' She broke out crying again.
'What I come for was to show you a way to make her go. If I tell you, you mun swear never to come and live at Undern.'
''Struth I will!'
'Well, then, just you come and see 'er some time when the master's away. And bring the chillun.'