THE WAY OF THE EARTH
but the pains did not go away. Then at the end of a day Sara Jane told Beca and Simon how she had done.
“Concubine!” cried Beca.
“Harlot!” cried Simon.
“For sure me, disgrace is this,” said Beca.
Sara Jane straightened her shoulders.
“Samplers bach nice you are!” she said maliciously. “Crafty goats you are. What did the old Schoolin’ use to say when he called the names in the morning? ‘Sara Jane, the bastard of Simon and Beca.’ Iss, that’s the old Schoolin’. But William Shinkins will wed me. I shan’t be cut out of the Seiet.”
Simon and Beca were distressed.
“Go you down, little Simon, and word to the boy,” said Beca.
“I’ve nothing to go for,” replied Simon.
“Hap Madlen Tybach need coal?”
“Nono. Has she not much left?
53
