“From Joseph Preece. I met him up at the Ferry, as I wor comin’ away from the shop.”
“He’s out too, then?” asks Mrs Wingate, who has of late come to know him.
“Yes; same’s the others.”
“Where be the poor man abidin’ now?”
“Well; that’s odd, too. Where do you suppose, mother?”
“How should I know, my son? Where?”
“In the old house where Coracle Dick used to live!”
“What be there so odd in that?”
“Why, because Dick’s now in his house; ha’ got his place at the Court, an’s goin’ to be somethin’ far grander than ever he wor—head keeper.”
“Ah! poacher turned gamekeeper! That be settin’ thief to catch thief!”