Bramber was relieved when he left. He was afraid Pepperill would drink more than he could bear. At the entrance to the village he left the cart, and thanked Pasco for the lift.
Pepperill drove on to Coombe Cellars.
As he came up, he saw his wife standing at the door with a light in her hand.
“Pasco, is that you?”
“Who else?”
“So, you are home at last. There has been the coal merchant here; he swears he will bring you no more, and that, unless you pay up this month, he will set the lawyers on you.”
Pepperill flung himself from his cart.
“Heavens!” said he, looking sullenly at his stores; “if they would but burn!”
“Burn—what burn?” asked Mrs. Pepperill sharply. “Do you think you cannot leave the house for a day but some mischief must come on it? As if I were not to be trusted, and everything lay with you.”
“I did not mean that, Zerah.”