She told me what a
keeper had told her, and I believed it, and this was the result.
There weren't no lock-up within five miles, and so the men took me to
Woodcotes till morning; and very pleased they was, and very proud of
themselves, for I'd been a thorn in their hands for a good bit. And I said
nought, understanding such matters, and knowing that every word you speak
at such a time will be used against you.
And then we got to Woodcotes, and I had to speak, for though 'twas three
in the morning or a bit later, young Squire, knowing about the thing,
hadn't gone to bed. He commanded 'em to bring me afore him, and I came in,
handcuffed, to his libery, and there he sat with a good fire and a book.
And a very beautiful satin smoking-jacket he wore, and the room smelled of
rich cigars. I blinked, coming in out of the dark, and he told the keepers
to go till he'd had a talk along with me. And then he dressed me down
properly, but not till his men was t'other side of the door.
He knowed all about my family and its success in the world, and its fame
in all to do with sport, and he said that 'twas a crying sin and shame
that such as me should break away and be a black sheep and get into
trouble like this.
"'Tis a common theft, and nothing more nor less," he said. "You've been
warned more than once, and you knew right well that, if you persisted,
this would be the end of it.
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