nd
you Moll, his mort, this is not treating me over civilly,--however, I am
ready to put up with it, and to go with you if you like, for I bear no
malice. I'm sorry for what has happened, but you have only yourselves to
thank for it. Now, shall I go with you, only tell me?' The man made no
manner of reply, but flogged his horse. The woman, however, whose
passions were probably under less control, replied, with a screeching
tone, 'Stay where you are, you jade, and may the curse of Judas cling to
you,--stay with the bit of a mullo whom you helped, and my only hope is
that he may gulley you before he comes to be. . . . Have you with us,
indeed! after what's past! no, nor nothing belonging to you. Fetch down
your mailla go-cart and live here with your chabo.' She then whipped on
the horse, and ascended the pass, followed by the man. The carts were
light, and they were not long in ascending the winding path. I followed
to see that they took their departure. Arriving at the top, I found near
the entrance a small donkey-cart, which I concluded belonged to the girl.
The tinker and his mort were already at some distance; I stood looking
after them for a little time, then taking the donkey by the reins I led
it with the cart to the bottom of the dingle. Arrived there, I found
Belle seated on the stone by the fireplace. Her hair was all
dishevelled, and she was in tears.

'They were bad people,' said she, 'and I did not like them, but they were
my only acquaintance in the wide world.'

[Picture: The blow which I struck the Tinker]

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX

AT TEA--VAPOURS--ISOPEL BERNERS--SOFTLY AND KINDLY--SWEET PRETTY
CREATURE--BREAD AND WATER--TRUTH AND CONSTANCY--VERY STRANGELY

In the evening of that same day the tall girl and I sat at tea by the
fire, at the bottom of the dingle; the girl on a small stool, and myself,
as usual, upon my stone.

The water which served for the tea had been taken from a spring of
pellucid water in the neighbourhood, which I had not had the good fortune
to discover, though it was well known to my companion, and to the
wandering people who frequented the dingle.

'This tea is very good,' said I, 'but I cannot enjoy it as much as if I
were well: I feel very sadly.'

'How else should you feel,' said the girl, 'after fighting with the
flaming Tinman? All I wonder at is that you can feel at all! As for the
tea, it ought to be good, seeing that it cost me ten shi