'No, braggarts do nothing; but Pip is no braggart.'
'It is my turn now,' said Zita. 'You, Kainie, have tried and have failed. Leave him to me. I can employ reasons that are stronger than yours. Let go your hold of the horse's head. You have said your say. Now I will say mine. But none must hear us.'
Kainie reluctantly released the bit. Then Zita, still with her hand on the bridle, strode in the direction of Prickwillow, leading the horse, and some of the people congregated on the drove looked after her and the master, and laughed.
'He has found his mistress,' said one man, nudging his fellow.
'Ay, and is following her lead like a lamb,' replied the man who had been nudged.
'Who leads today will drive to-morrow,' said a third.
'Is he going to marry her?' asked the first.
The man addressed shrugged his shoulders and said, 'No money. Drownlands is not such a fool as that.'
None of this was heard by Zita, who did not relax her hold, nor turn to look at those who were left in the road. The master suffered her to conduct him towards the house without making remonstrance.