“Well, then,” said Jenny, “pray, your worships, just let us go our ways till we are wanted. We’ll only tantle about i’ th’ neighbourhood here; we’ll come when wanted. But to shut us up within stone walls would kill us. Ween been used to wander and wander for these fifteen years. It’s second natur to us. We liken to sit and hear the lark singing over our heads on th’ open moors; and hear th’ wind i’ th’ trees, and th’ water running i’ th’ brucks; and to smell th’ smell o’ th’ woods and commons, and to lie and sleep a bit under a tree i’ th’ pleasant summer dees. Shut us up, and you might as well hang us off at once. Our lives are of no use to nobody. They are going fast out, like the down as blows off the dandy-lion. So pray yer just let us daudle on.” “I am sorry,” said Mr. Degge, “that the law does not allow us to do that. You must pass your time till the March assizes within the limits of the county jail; but there are airy, large court-yards there, and the jailer will make you comfortable.” “Comfortable!” said the old woman, “and not a blade o’ grass to be seen, nor a green tree, nothing but stone, stone, stone! Well, what mun be, mun be. God give us patience, and send us well out of it.” The old woman made her curtseys to the gentlemen, and the old man following her example, made his bows, and they were turning to go out. “Latter will take them along with Hopcraft,” said Mr. Degge. “He is waiting for that purpose.” “Take us with Hopcraft!” said the old woman. “No, your worships, you won’t demean us so, as to take us as criminals. We’ll walk. We’ll just tantle down by the river side, and give ourselves up. It’s God’s truth, we shan’t try to get away; and where, indeed, could such poor owd creeturs get away to?” Mr. Degge turned, and said something to Sir Henry, who nodded in reply. And Mr. Degge said:—“Well, Jenny, you shall have it as you like. You can go and take your time, so that you give yourselves up before four o’clock at the county jail, where Latter will take the warrant.”