Lord knows I had the will to hide it!" The wife, who had sunk into the nearest chair, and lay there huddled like a half-empty bag, answered with a whimper.
"Stop that whining!" roared William, turning upon her, "or I'll break every bone in your skin." "Fie on you, man! Why, she tells me you haven't struck her for a whole year," put in 'Lizabeth, immeasurably scornful.
"So, cousin, you've found out what I meant by 'we.' Lord! you fancied _you_ was the one as was goin' to settle down wi' me an' be comfortable, eh?
You're jilted, my girl, an' this is how you vent your jealousy.
You played your hand well; you've turned us out.

It's a pity--eh ?--you didn't score this last trick." "What do you mean ?" The innuendo at the end diverted her wrath at the man's hateful coarseness.
"Mean?
Oh, o' course, you're innocent as a lamb! Mean?
Why, look here." He opened the chest again, and, drawing out a scrap of folded foolscap, began to read :-- "_I, Ebenezer Transom, of Compton Burrows, in the parish of Compton, yeoman, being of sound wit and health, and willing, though a sinner, to give my account to God, do hereby make my last will and testament_." "_My house, lands, and farm of Compton Burrows, together with every stick that I own, I hereby (for her good care of me) give and bequeath to Elizabeth Rundle, my dead sister's child_" -- "Let be, I tell you!" But 'Lizabeth had snatched the paper from him.

For a moment the devil in his eye seemed to meditate violence.

But he thought better of it; and when she asked for the candle held it beside her as she read on slowly.
"_.

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