"I'm no great hand at learning. I got no schoolin'."
"Never been to school?"
"No, we always lived out back where there was none. I've not been christened neither. Never saw a church for that matter. There was a parson what came round our parts once with a pack-'orse. I fair scared him out of his life when I let on about it. He was for fixing me straight then."
"Why didn't you let him?"
"Something happened. I forget."
There came a space of silence. She lifted her great eyes. "Yes, I'm spoiling for a bit of life. I'm sick of seeing nothing. I reckon maybe you've moved about, Mister?"
"I travelled a bit."
"That Mr. King, he's been about a bit."
"Did he say so?"