human
Well, now, exclaimed Elizabeth Hockin,
gpt
I reckon she came of a good family, said Jabez.
human
Leastwise, I've heard as how she were once well off.
gpt
And look here! exclaimed Elizabeth,
human
But look here! cried Jabez,
gpt
Her's been in the way of showing folk the Zennor Quoit, visitors from St. Ives and Penzance, and she's had scores o' shillings that way.
human
Lord! exclaimed Jabez.
gpt
I wish she'd left it to me, and I could buy a cow; I want another cruel bad.
human
Ay, we do, terrible, said Elizabeth.
gpt
But just look to her bed, what torn and wretched linen be on that--and here these fine bedclothes all in the chest.
human
Who'll get the silver taypot and spoons, and the money?
gpt
Her had no kin--none but Rose Hext, and her couldn't abide her. Last words her said to me was that she'd 'have never naught to do wi' the Hexts, they and all their belongings.'
human
That was her last words?
gpt
The very last words her spoke to me--or to anyone.
human
Then, said Jabez,
gpt
I'll tell ye what, Elizabeth, it's our moral dooty to abide by the wishes of Aunt Joanna. It never does to go agin what is right. And as her expressed herself that strong, why us, as honest folks, must carry out her wishes, and see that none of all her savings go to them darned and dratted Hexts.
human
But who be they to go to, then?
gpt
Well--we'll see. Fust us will have her removed, and provide that her be daycent buried. Them Hexts be in a poor way, and couldn't afford the expense, and it do seem to me, Elizabeth, as it would be a liberal and a kindly act in us to take all the charges on ourselves. Us is the closest neighbours.
human
Ay--and her have had milk of me these ten or twelve years, and I've never charged her a penny, thinking her couldn't afford it. But her could, her were a-hoardin' of her money--and not paying me. That were not honest, and what I say is, that I have a right to some of her savin's, to pay the milk bill--and it's butter I've let her have now and then in a liberal way.
gpt
Very well, Elizabeth. Fust of all, we'll take the silver taypot and the spoons wi' us, to get 'em out of harm's way.
human
And I'll carry the linen sheets and pillow-cases. My word!--why didn't she use 'em, instead of them rags?