’Ah, you don’t want to be told of all the wrongs you’ve a done to me. Oh dear! the deal of pains and expense as her hev a put me to, what with her rearing, and her feeding, and her clothing, and—that is to be all for nort. When her be good full growed and able-bodied, and might work for her old vaither, then you draws ’er away for reasons of your own, and leaves me without a child. Now her can’t think of me, nor work for me, nor light a fire for me, nor cook a biling of turnips, nor wire a rabbit—all becos you’ve a turned her head so as her can think, and talk, and work only for the young maister, and I’m to bide content with a score and one of backie. That ain’t in reason. That ain’t how a gemman would act. Why, there were a man t’other day to Okehampton market brought his wife there with a halter round her neck and sold ’er there for half a crown—not for backie, but for a real half-crown in silver.[1] Her were oldish, and not like my Joyce. If I be to part wi’ Joyce, I’ll take nort but silver for her, and I won’t be content wi’ less nor four half-crowns. I’ve got to make my own fire now, and do everything myself. Not you, nor Miss Cicely, nor the old Squire shall stay me. I won’t sell ’er not a penny under four half-crowns and some’ut over to wet the bargain with. If you don’t accept my terms I’ll have her back, and if her sez her won’t come back I’ll do by her as I did afore—I’ll just scatt all the bones she has to her body. Her got her bones o’ me, and I’ve a right to do what I will wi’ my own. I can scatt mun or I can sell mun. And I won’t sell mun a penny under five half-crowns, that be my figure, and blast me blue if I takes a shilling off. I’d rather break her bones first and dung my pertaty ground wi’ ’em. Feel my hands, how strong they be.’ [1] The author knew the woman thus purchased, and the man who bought her, and with whom she lived till her death. The transaction took place about forty years ago, as described. He suddenly laid hold of Herring’s wrists, and his grasp was as an iron vice. Herring was a strong man, but he was unprepared to meet and resist such strength as the old savage exhibited. ’Did her give you the shining stones in the box? I reckon it were so, and her knows what to expeck for doing that, and I’ll do it. Did I go and take the box from the carriage? And can the constable come and carry me off to gaol for that? Then surely, if I say to un, there be the young Squire to West Wyke have a been to the Giant’s Table and have a took away my daughter, then if there be justice for one there be justice for another, and the constable will come and carry you to gaol also.’ Herring walked on quicker. He was alarmed for Joyce. It would be wrong to send her back to her father. She had risen to a higher level than he; she could not associate with him longer. Moreover, he was uneasy at his threats, for the wretched old man, as he knew, would execute them without compunction.