Zip pondered the meaning of these words for a moment, and then her conscience interpreted.
"Because he spoke bad of 'e, about the Fair." She crooked her quick fingers together as she spoke, and tore them asunder with vehemence.
"And what did you do to him? Eh Zip? Oh Zip!"
"Nort, for to sarve 'un out, as a' desarved. Only pulled most of 's hair out. His moother hurned arter me; but I got inside the ge-at."
"A nice use indeed for my premises—to make them a refuge, after committing assault and battery! Well, what shall we come to next?"
"Plaise sir, I want to tell 'e zummut;" said the child, looking up very earnestly. "Bain't it Perlycrass Fair, come Tuesday next?"
"I am sorry to say that it is. A day of sad noise and uproar. Remember that little Zip must not go outside the gates, that day."
"Nor Passon nayther;" the child took hold of his hand, as if she were pulling him inside the gate, for her nature was full of gestures; and then she gazed at him with a sage smile of triumph—"and Passon mustn't go nayther."
Mr. Penniloe took little heed of this (though he had to think of it afterwards) but sent the child to have her tea, with Muggridge and the children.