“It is very shocking about Mr. Catchpole, is it not? But, then, we are not surprised, you know; we have partly suspected something for a long time, as I have told you.”
“’Ave you really? Well, then, it’s a good thing as he’s found out.”
“I am very sorry. He has been with us so long, and we thought him such a faithful servant.”
“You’re sorry, are you? Yes, of course you are. Wot are yer goin’ to do with him?”
“We shall not prosecute.”
“No, marm, you take my advice, don’t yer do that; it wouldn’t do nobody no good.”
“We shall discharge him at once.”
“Yes, that’s all right; but don’t you prosecute ’im on no account, mind that. Mis-sis Furze,” said Jim, deliberately, turning his head, and with his eyes full upon her in a way she did not like, “wot am I a-goin’ to get out of this?”
“Why, you will be repaid, I am sure, by Mr. Furze for all the time and trouble you have taken.”
“Now, marm, I ain’t a-goin’ to say nothin’ as needn’t be said, but I know that Tom’s been makin’ up to Miss Catharine, and yer know that as soon as yer found that out yer come and spoke to me. Mind that, marm; it was yer as come and spoke to me; it wasn’t me as spoke first, was it?” Jim was unusually excited. “And arter yer spoke to me, yer spoke to me agin—agin I say it—arter I told you as I seed Joe pay the money, and then I brought yer that ere sovereign.”