Kit was a fool, and although she doubted if he were as dull as he pretended, she was angry with him.

Anyhow, it might be possible to stop his ridiculous infatuation for Miss Osborn.
"You can't sell coal when the Askews are giving peat away," she said.
"Looks like that," Bell agreed.

"I'd ha' broke the others before noo if I hadn't had Peter and Kit against me.

Hooiver, if I canna sell coal, I canna pay the rent and landlord will have to do something.

Mayhappen it will be easier for him if he kens the Askews started the plot.