He tapped at the door with his hand, and lifting the latch he opened the door a few inches.
"Bill, are you in ?" There was an exclamation of surprise.
"Why, surely, it's Maister Ned!" and Bill came to the door.
"Come out, Bill, I want to speak to you." Much surprised at the low and subdued tone in which Ned spoke, Bill snatched down his cap from the peg by the door and joined him outside.
"What be't, Maister Ned?
what be t' matter with thee?
Has owt gone wrong ?" Ned walked on without speaking.

In his yearning for sympathy, in his intense desire to impart the miserable news to some one who would feel for him, he had come to his friend Bill.

He had thought first of going to Mr.Porson.But though his master would sympathize with him he would not be able to feel as he did; he would no doubt be shocked at hearing that his mother was so soon going to marry again, but he would not be able to understand the special dislike to Mr.Mulready, still less likely to encourage his passionate resentment.

Bill would, he knew, do both, for it was from him he had learned how hated the mill owner was among his people.
But at present he could not speak.

He gave a short wave of his hand to show that he heard, but could not answer yet, and with his head bent down made his way out through the end of the village on to the moor--Bill following him, wondering and sympathetic, unable to conjecture what had happened.
Presently, when they had left the houses far behind them, Ned stopped.
"What be't, Maister Ned ?" Bill again asked, laying his strong hand upon Ned's shoulder; "tell oi what it be.