One afternoon of the same week she climbed the Cove road with the deliberate intention to intercept Jagger on his homeward journey, though a visit to Far Tarn farm was the avowed object of the journey. Her departure was well timed, and they met at the junction of the roads where their paths would diverge. Though both hearts were beating more quickly than usual there was nothing lover-like in their greeting, and Nancy speedily made known her business.
“I came on purpose to meet you, Jagger,” she said, “and there’s no time to be lost, because though there isn’t a soul to be seen there’s never no telling who’ll come along—and carry tales.”
Jagger nodded. “I’d say, let ’em come, if it was only me; but you’re right, Nancy. There’s no sense in making trouble.”
“It’s a plan I’ve got in my head,” she said. “Hannah’s told me all about James, and the low tricks he’s always playing on you; and how sometimes you stay up most o’ t’ night to try to catch him at it. You won’t manage it, Jagger! He’s too fly for you! He’s hobbled just now, of course; but he’s mending fast—he was in the shop all the morning—and he’ll soon be about again. I want you to lie low and leave me to do the watching!”
Her eyes were bright; but there was no other sign of excitement, and the lips closed resolutely. Jagger, however, shook his head.
“Nay, nay, Nancy, that ’ud never do! He’s the dad of all for cunning and mischief, and if he finds you at that game he’ll make you smart for it. It’s no woman’s work, this. Jack Pearce has promised to share wi’ me, so it’ll not come that hard on either of us to lose a night’s sleep now and then. Leave it to us, and get your rest. I’m sorry he’s who he is, Nancy; but I won’t have you dragged into it.”
“Listen, Jagger!” said Nancy earnestly. “He’s got Stalker on his side and they’ve always their heads together. Stalker’s soft as putty and James keeps him oiled and shapes him as he likes. He’s made him believe you’re a wrong un—that much I found out, for I’ve listened: it’s a nasty, low-down trick, but I did it, and I’ll do it again. I couldn’t hear much, for James talks low; but I got enough to know that Stalker is keeping his eye on you and what can you do when you’re handicapped like that?”
Something like a smile came into Jagger’s eyes, though the face that was upturned to his was white and anxious.
“Twelve months since, Nancy, I should have had t’ blue devils with all this: I should have laid down and let trouble roll over me; but now I’m hanged if I don’t find a pleasure in it. It’s same as when you hold t’ axe to t’ grunston’—rough treatment, and brings t’ fire out of you at t’ time; but brightens you up and sharpens you wonderful. There’s a vast difference between father and me—for he’s over soft, and ’ud give his other hand to save Inman’s soul, where I’d lend him a rope to hang himself with;—but he’s smittled me i’ one or two ways, and I’m sticking to t’ Straight Road; for whether there’s ought watches over me or no I’m certain sure there’s something watches over him and we shall come out on top.”
Nancy had glanced round the moor apprehensively more than once during this long declaration; but finding nothing to arouse her fears was not unwilling to prolong the conversation.