Part 32 (2/2)
”When I be gone you'll see some sour looks, I reckon.”
”Nothing doan't matter then; 't is while you 'm here I'd protect 'e 'gainst 'em. Look, see! ban't often I goes down on my knees, 'cause a man risin' in years, same as me, can pray to G.o.d more dignified sittin'; but now I will.” He slid gingerly down, and only a tremor showed the stab his gallantry cost him.
”You 'm a masterful auld shaver, sure 'nough!” said Mrs. Coomstock, regarding Billy with a look half fish like, half affectionate.
”Rise me up, then,” he said. ”Rise me up, an' do it quick. If you love me, as I see you do by the faace of you, rise me up, Mary, an' say the word wance for all time. I'll be a gude husband to 'e an' you'll bless the day you took me, though I sez it as shouldn't.”
She allowed her fat left hand, with the late Mr. Coomstock's wedding-ring almost buried in her third finger, to remain with Billy's; and by the aid of it and the sofa he now got on his legs again. Then he sat down beside her once more and courageously set his yellow muzzle against her red cheek. The widow remained pa.s.sive under this caress, and Mr. Blee, having kissed her thrice, rubbed his mouth and spoke.
”Theer! 'T is signed and sealed, an' I'll have no drawin' back now.”
”But--but--Lezzard, Billy. I do like 'e--I caan't hide it from 'e, try as I will--but him--”
”I knawed he was t'other. I tell you, forget un. His marryin' days be awver. Dammy, the man's 'most chuckle headed wi' age! Let un go his way an' say his prayers 'gainst the trump o' G.o.d. An' it'll take un his time to pa.s.s Peter when all 's done--a bad auld chap in his day. Not that I'd soil your ears with it.”
”He said much the same 'bout you. When you was at Drewsteignton, twenty year agone--”
”A lie--a wicked, strammin', gert lie, with no more truth to it than a auld song! He 'm a venomous beast to call home such a thing arter all these years.”
”If I did take 'e, you'd be a gude an' faithful husband, Billy, not a gad-about?”
”Cut my legs off if I go gaddin' further than to do your errands.”
”An' you'll keep these here buzzin' parties off me? Cuss 'em! They make my life a burden.”
”Doan't fear that. I'll larn 'em!”
”Theer 's awnly wan I can bide of the whole lot--an' that's my awn nephew, Clem Hicks. He'll drink his drop o' liquor an' keep his mouth shut, an' listen to me a-talkin' as a young man should. T'others are allus yelpin' out how fond they be of me, and how they'd go to the world's end for me. I hate the sight of 'em.”
”A time-servin' crew, Mary; an' Clement Hicks no better 'n the rest, mark my word, though your sister's son. 'T is cupboard love wi' all. But money ban't nothin' to me. I've been well contented with enough all my life, though 't is few can say with truth that enough satisfies 'em.”
”Lezzard said money was nothin' to him neither, having plenty of his awn. 'T was my pusson, not my pocket, as he'd falled in love with.”
”Burnish it all! Theer 's a shameful speech! 'Your pusson'! Him! I'll tell you what Lezzard is--just a d.a.m.n evil disposition kep' in by skin an' bones--that's Lezzard. 'Your pusson'!”
”I'm afraid I've encouraged him a little. You've been so backward in mentioning the subject of late. But I'm sure I didn't knaw as he'd got a evil disposition.”
”Well, 't is so. An' 't is awnly your bigness of heart, as wouldn't hurt a beetle, makes you speak kind of the boozy auld sweep. I'll soon shaw un wheer he's out if he thinks you 'm tinkering arter him!”
”He couldn't bring an action for breach, or anything o' that, could he?”
”At his time of life! What Justice would give ear to un? An' the shame of it!”
”Perhaps he misunderstood. You men jump so at a conclusion.”
”Leave that to me. I'll clear his brains double-quick; aye, an' make un jump for somethin'!”
”Then I suppose it's got to be. I'm yourn, Billy, an' theer needn't be any long waitin' neither. To think of another weddin' an' another husband! Just a drop or I shall cry. It's such a supporting thing to a lone female.”
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