Dan. Hullo! Who’s that? Joe Ripley, eh? Why, Joe Ripley, what dost thou do skulking in other men’s huts when they’re away? Nothing to lay hands on here, Joe Ripley. And thou’st brought a friend, eh? Didst thee think there was too much plunder for a man to carry that thou’st brought an ass to help thee? There’s nowt for thee here. Take thine ugly face into the storm; maybe thou’lt get it battered straight. Come, out wi’ ’ee!
Rip. Hold thy peace, man. I want nowt of thine. I’ve brought thee money for thy two nets.
Dan. Where is it?
Rip. And here’s a man as says he’s thy brother—and I wish him joy o’ his brotherhood! I found him in the village asking for thee, so I brought him to thee. (Marple holds out his hand.)
Dan. (not heeding him). Gi’ me the money.
Mar. Dost thou not know me, Jonas Marple?
Dan. Dead. Dead three years ago.
Mar. Ay, thou gavest thyself out as dead, that he might make an honest woman of her.
Dan. Thou liest, she was an honest woman, for all she left me. ’Twas him that stole her, God bless her! Jonas Marple died the day she left him. I’m Dan’l Druce.