“I’ve got no patience wud girls wot taake on them silly maidenish airs,” he said to Thyrza. “You never cried when you caum to me, surelye.”
“I’d no mother to say good-bye to. Some girls always cry when they say good-bye to their mothers.”
“Nell never used to be so set on mother in the oald times.”
“But it’s different now—it always is,” said Thyrza wisely—“that’s why some folks ud sooner have a darter than a son. When a son goes marrying he turns away from his parents, but a girl, the more she loves outside the more she loves at home.”
Tom pondered her words, and found himself beginning to feel a little guilty.
“Maybe you’re right. I hope Will woan’t go and disremember us when he weds.”
“Reckon he will,” said Thyrza—“it’s only nature.”
Tom went up to Worge every evening till the end of his leave.
5
The last evening came, and Tom’s good-byes.