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's took good care to keep me in touch with the facts
ever since I came here--so now then! You was after Chuff from the minute
he went to Vitifer Tin Mine, and I knew it.
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