"How are you, Reuben? I've heard a lot about you, but nothing from you yourself. Is it true that you've sent away your daughter and her family from Grandturzel?"
"Yes—after they burnt the pläace down to the ground."
"And where are they now?"
"I dunno."
Alice said nothing, and Reuben fired up a little:
"I daresay you think badly of me, lik everyone else. But if a man mäade a bonfire of your new stacks, I reckon you wouldn't say 'thank'ee,' and raise his wages."
Another pause—then Alice said:
"How are you getting on with Boarzell? I hear that most of it's yours now."
"All except the Fair-pläace—and I mean to have that in a year or two, surelye."
This time it was she that kindled: