Part 14 (1/2)
”I want to hear no dukkerin, Ursula, in connection with Isopel Berners.
Moreover, it is Sunday, we will change the subject; it is surprising to me that, after all you have undergone, you should look so beautiful. I suppose you do not think of marrying again, Ursula?”
”No, brother, one husband at a time is quite enough for any reasonable mort; especially such a good husband as I have got.”
”Such a good husband! why, I thought you told me your husband was drowned?”
”Yes, brother, my first husband was.”
”And have you a second?”
”To be sure, brother.”
”And who is he? in the name of wonder.”
”Who is he? why Sylvester, to be sure.”
”I do a.s.sure you, Ursula, that I feel disposed to be angry with you; such a handsome young woman as yourself to take up with such a nasty pepper- faced good for nothing--”
”I won't hear my husband abused, brother; so you had better say no more.”
”Why, is he not the Lazarus of the gypsies? has he a penny of his own, Ursula?”
”Then the more his want, brother, of a clever chi like me to take care of him and his childer. I tell you what, brother, I will ch.o.r.e, if necessary, and tell dukkerin for Sylvester, if even so heavy as scarcely to be able to stand. You call him lazy; you would not think him lazy if you were in a ring with him: he is a proper man with his hands; Jasper is going to back him for twenty pounds against Slammocks of the Chong gav, the brother of Roarer and Bell-metal, he says he has no doubt that he will win.”
”Well, if you like him, I, of course, can have no objection. Have you been long married?”
”About a fortnight, brother; that dinner, the other day, when I sang the song, was given in celebration of the wedding.”
”Were you married in a church, Ursula?”
”We were not, brother; none but gorgios, cripples, and lubbenys are ever married in a church: we took each other's words. Brother, I have been with you near three hours beneath this hedge. I will go to my husband.”
”Does he know that you are here?”
”He does, brother.”
”And is he satisfied?”
”Satisfied! of course. Lor', you gorgies! Brother, I go to my husband and my house.” And, thereupon, Ursula rose and departed.
After waiting a little time I also arose; it was now dark, and I thought I could do no better than betake myself to the dingle; at the entrance of it I found Mr. Petulengro. ”Well, brother,” said he, ”what kind of conversation have you and Ursula had beneath the hedge?”
”If you wished to hear what we were talking about, you should have come and sat down beside us; you knew where we were.”
”Well, brother, I did much the same, for I went and sat down behind you.”
”Behind the hedge, Jasper?”
”Behind the hedge, brother.”
”And heard all our conversation.”