human
She's headstrong, Mr. Crumb,
gpt
She is that, ma'am. And it was along wi' the baro-nite she went?
human
It was so, Mr. Crumb.
gpt
Baro-nite! Well;--perhaps I shall catch him some of these days;--went to dinner wi' him, did she? Didn't she have no dinner here?
human
John Crumb immediately produced a very thick and admirably useful blue cloth cloak, which he had brought up with him to London from Bungay, as a present to the woman who had been good to his Ruby. He assured her that he did not doubt that her victuals were good and plentiful, and went on to say that he had made bold to bring her a trifle out of respect. It was some little time before Mrs. Pipkin would allow herself to be appeased;--but at last she permitted the garment to be placed on her shoulders. But it was done after a melancholy fashion. There was no smiling consciousness of the bestowal of joy on the countenance of the donor as he gave it, no exuberance of thanks from the recipient as she received it. Mrs. Hurtle, standing by, declared it to be perfect;--but the occasion was one which admitted of no delight.
gpt
It's very good of you, Mr. Crumb, to think of an old woman like me,--particularly when you've such a deal of trouble with a young 'un.
human
It's like the smut in the wheat, Mrs. Pipkin, or the d'sease in the 'tatoes;--it has to be put up with, I suppose. Is she very partial, ma'am, to that young baro-nite?
gpt
Just a fancy for the time, Mr. Crumb,
human
They never thinks as how their fancies may well-nigh half kill a man! Then he was silent for awhile, sitting back in his chair, not moving a limb, with his eyes fastened on Mrs. Pipkin's ceiling. Mrs. Hurtle had some work in her hand, and sat watching him. The man was to her an extraordinary being,--so constant, so slow, so unexpressive, so unlike her own countrymen,--willing to endure so much, and at the same time so warm in his affections!
gpt
Sir Felix Carbury! he said.
human
I'll Sir Felix him some of these days. If it was only dinner, wouldn't she be back afore this, ma'am?
gpt
I suppose they've gone to some place of amusement,
human
Like enough,
gpt
She's that mad after dancing as never was,
human
And where is it as 'em dances? asked Crumb, getting up from his chair, and stretching himself. It was evident to both the ladies that he was beginning to think that he would follow Ruby to the music hall. Neither of them answered him, however, and then he sat down again.
gpt
Does 'em dance all night at them places, Mrs. Pipkin?
human
They do pretty nearly all that they oughtn't to do,
gpt
I never knowed as she was fond o' dancing, he said.
human
I'd a had dancing for her down at Bungay,--just as ready as anything. D'ye think, ma'am, it's the dancing she's after, or the baro-nite?
gpt
I suppose they go together,
human
Domn him! Domn him! What 'ad I ever dun to him? Nothing! Did I ever interfere wi' him? Never! But I wull. I wull. I wouldn't wonder but I'll swing for this at Bury!
gpt
Oh, Mr. Crumb, don't talk like that,
human
Mr. Crumb is a little disturbed, but he'll get over it presently,
gpt
She's a nasty slut to go and treat a young man as she's treating you,
human
No, ma'am;--she ain't nasty, said the lover.
gpt
But she's crou'll--horrid crou'll. It's no more use my going down about meal and pollard, nor business, and she up here with that baro-nite,--no, no more nor nothin'! When I handles it I don't know whether its middlings nor nothin' else. If I was to twist his neck, ma'am, would you take it on yourself to say as I was wrong?
human
I'd sooner hear that you had taken the girl away from him,
gpt
I could pretty well eat him,--that's what I could. Half past eleven; is it? She must come some time, mustn't she?