"Nay, let her go her way," said Richard, who had drawn near during the colloquy. "No good will come of meddling with her."
"Who's that?" asked Mother Chattox, quickly.
Nan Redferne and Mother Chattox.
"Master Richard Assheton, o' Middleton," whispered Nan Redferne.
"Another of these accursed Asshetons," cried Mother Chattox. "A plague seize them!"
"Boh he's weel-favourt an kindly," remarked her grand-daughter.
"Well-favoured or not, kindly or cruel, I hate them all," cried Mother Chattox. "To the crosses, I say!"
But Nicholas placed himself in their path.
"Is it to pray to Beelzebub, thy master, that thou wouldst go to the crosses?" he asked.