The crowd broke up rapidly and slank away, subdued and ashamed.
"Morning, men!"
"Morning!"
Within two minutes nearly all were gone. The open space in front of the Castle gate was empty, save for two old women with little black shawls over their heads, who were wiping their eyes on their cotton aprons.
"Did thou see that, Bella?"
"'Deed I did, though."
"I belave in my heart it was the girl herself—the one they say he has done so bad to."
"Aw well, if a woman isn't willing to stand up for her man, whatever he has done, what is she anyway?"