"Eh, but you’re a cruel woman, Mrs. Thornthet!" she exclaimed, in a voice quivering with pain. "It’s true I’d be glad to see Geordie again, but it don’t make that much difference now. It’s for your sake and poor Mr. Thornthet’s that I want to see him back.... "You’re fond o’ me, nowadays," she went on bravely, controlling herself again. "You like me well enough now, whatever you felt once. Can’t you take the money for the sake of bygone times?" But already Sarah had turned away from her and was moving towards the door. She fitted the key in the lock with the ease of use, and gave the rickety door an opening push. And again May followed and stood, strong in the courage of those who plead for the thing that they have at heart. "Don’t go away feeling mad with me, Mrs. Thornthet!" she begged. "I’m sorry I spoke as I did. Think on how happy we were together, this morning, you and me. Think how it would be if he was to come marching into the yard...." Sarah was now over the threshold, with her hand against the door, but May’s hand was also against it, refusing to let it close. Her face was white as a flower upon the dusky air, pleading and sweet with frank lips and tearful eyes. Sarah herself was engulfed by the dark house, a shadow that was yet more surely a block than the actual door. It seemed to May that she had all the passionless resistance of some ancient, immovable stone. A lantern across showed the black squares of the shippon stalls, the white coats of the beasts and Simon moving from dark to light. May did not know that the old woman’s purpose was giving in the pause, that that last sentence of hers had broken the stubborn will. She waited despairingly, seeking for more to say, and finding nothing, since the right word had been said. And because she despaired she broke the pause too soon, in an access of hopelessness flinging away her chance. Taking her hand from the door, she pointed to Simon at his job. "I’ll ask Mr. Thornthet, then!" she cried sharply, beginning to move away. "Happen he’ll see to it for me instead of you. Happen he’ll see the offer’s kindly meant, and not let pride and suchlike stand between!" But Sarah, too, cried out before she had gone a yard, her voice harsh with wrath and a sort of fear.