"I know it master. But thou wilt bear a bit longer wi' him?"
"Is that what thou thinks?"
"Ay, it is."
"I'll do anything thou asks me to do. Sarah, can thou give me one kind thought? I would be glad to bear a' thy crosses for thee. If thou would marry me I would put up wi' all that thou loves for thy dear sake. Can ta see thy way clear to wed me, Sarah?"
As they stood together he lifted her hand and clasped it between his own. The moon-light fell all over Sarah's slight figure in its black cloak, and gave a touching beauty to her face, perfectly outlined by the little woollen kerchief pinned tightly over the head and under the chin.
"Can ta see thy way clear to wed me, Sarah?"
"Nay, I can't. I am in a deal o' trouble about Steve."
"I'll do owt thou wishes for Steve. He is thy brother, and I can do a deal for thy sake."
"He's a varry proud lad, sir. He'll not take a halfpenny from anybody."
"Not he. He takes thy money, and thy time, and all thou hes."
