And do you knaw, I declare to gudeness she never said nawthen, not so much as a word!" "Perhaps she was dumb ?" Barrant suggested.
"Aw, iss, doomb enough then," retorted Mr.Portgartha.

"I tried her two or three times more, but couldn't get a word out of her.

Well, at last I began to get narvous, thinkin' she might be a sperit.

So I leant across to her an' says, 'Caan't you say a word, miss?
It's only Peter Portgartha speaking, he's well known for his respect for your sect.

No young womon need be frightened of speakin' to Peter Portgartha.' And with that she spaaks at last, with a quick little gasp like a sob--I'm thinking I can hear it at this minute--'Aw,' she says, 'why caan't you leave me alone ?' 'Never be afraaid,' I says, for I have my pride like other folk, 'I'll say no more.