Page:Between Two Loves.djvu/218

Rh o' Bells," Steve,' I said, 'And thank'ee both,' and went."

"What time on Christmas-eve was that?"

"I don't know exactly, but soon afterwards I heard t' clock in t' "Ring o' Bells" strike seven, and I said, 'I hev to get home, lads, now,' and in a bit I left them. But when I put my hand in my pocket my four shillings were gone; and I thought to mysen, There's no use going home now. Joyce will cry and scold, and Sarah's still white face I can't abear to see. So I crept in among Squire Thornbury's hay, and slept till Christmas afternoon. Then I went up to t' big house and got a real good dinner, and t' butler hed a fiddle, and I played for 'em till dark; and perhaps I hed too much spiced ale, for when I passed t' "Ring o' Bells" again I saw Todd and Yates still drinking there; and they shouted to me, and said, 'Come in for thy Christmas cup,' and while I was drinking it t' police came and took us all three up. T' land-lady swore I'd come in t' night before with Todd and Yates, and that was true enough; but it looked bad for me, and so I hed to come here."