the
sort of man for a woman to fret at losing. But woman's taste in man be
like other mysteries, and 'tis no good trying to explain why a nice,
comely she such as his wife had any more use for this black zany.

"Devil--beast!" he yelped at her. "For two pins I'd strangle you! How have
you got the front to dare to breathe the same air with the man you've
outraged and ruined?"

"Do as you please and strangle me and welcome, Nicky; but listen first.
Us'll have everything in order if you please. First read that. Somebody
here--I don't know from Adam who 'twas--wrote to tell me you were working
to Meldon; and that's how I've found you."

He read the letter and grew calmer.

"As to that," he said, "I've told a good few stonemen of my fearful
misfortunes and what I meant to do; and one of 'em has gone back on me and
given my hiding-place away to you; and if I knew which it was, I'd skin
the man alive. But I'll find out."

"So much for that then," answered his wife, "and the next thing be to know
why you are in a hiding-place and what you're hiding from. And if I was
you, I'd come home this instant moment and explain after you get back."

"Home!" he screamed. "You say 'home!' A nice home! D'you think I don't
know all--every tricky wicked item of your plots and your wickedness?
D'you think I don't know you be going to marry Solomon Chuff? You stare,
you foul slut; but I know, and that's what I'm waiting for. So soon as the
man have took you, then I was coming back to turn you out of my house--my
house, you understand! I was only waiting for that, and when Chuff thinks
he's settled in my shoes, I'll be on to him like a flame of fire, and
he'll call on the hills to cover him. And I won't take you back--don't
think it. I'm done with you for evermore and all other beasts of women."

"Aw Jimmery!" cried his wife. "I'm hearing things! And where did you larn
these fine lies if I ban't axing too much?"

"From a friend," he said. "I've got one good and faithful friend left at
Postbridge, and thanks to him, I've had the bitter truth these many days."

"Would it surprise you to hear, Nicky, that Solomon Chuff's tokened to
Miller Ley's oldest daughter? They be going to wed at Easter, and 'twas
Alice Ley herself that told me about it a month ago and I wished her joy."

"Liar I know better, and Bill Westaway knows better. Yes, you may gape
your hateful eyes out of your head; but Bill Westaway's my friend; and
he's straight; and he'