human
Ay, yow may laugh, Mester Dick, but they'll nivver find out nowt. It's sperrits, that's what it is--sperrits of the owd fen, them as makes the ager, and sends will-o'-the-wisps to lead folkses into the bog. They don't like the drain being med, and they shutes and bons, and does all they can to stop it.
gpt
You're a great goose, Hicky, said Dick sharply.
human
Who ever heard of a ghost--
gpt
I didn't say ghost, my lad. I said sperrits!
human
Well, they're all the same.
gpt
Nay, nay, ghosts is ghosts, and sperrits is sperrits.
human
Well, then, who ever heard of a spirit going out skating with a lantern, or poling about with a punt, or shooting people, or blowing up sluice-gates, or cutting beasts' legs, or setting fire to their houses? Did you?
gpt
I nivver did till now, Mester Dick.
human
It's all nonsense about spirits; isn't it, Tom?
gpt
Of course it is, was the reply.
human
We're going to catch the spirit some day, and we'll bring him here.
gpt
Ay, do, said Hickathrift, nodding his head softly.
human
Well, I'm glad you two hev made it up.
gpt
Never mind about that. Has Dave been over?
human
Ay, lad. Soon as the ice went away and he could get his punt along he come to me and asked me to get him some wood sawn out; and we done it already. Ice is gone and to-morrow I'm going to pole across and help him knock up a frame, and he'll do the rest hissen.