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Rh the others was! For I've summat for to say to you, sir, summat for to arst you!"

And over Tom's open ruddy face there passed an expression of deep anxiety.

"To ask me, Tom? Well?"

"Oons, sir you'd tell me the truth, wouldn't you? You'd be above telling lies to a poor fellow loike me!" went on the young man, wistfully.

Tregenna looked amazed, as well he might, at this most unexpected speech.

"I hope, Tom," said he, "I'm above telling lies to any one."

"Well, sir, it's loike to this 'ere: you han't forgot, sir, that noight as you came to Rede Hall, have you?"

"No, I'm not likely to forget that quickly!"

"You'll moind, sir, how 'twas Ann Price sent us after thee, in a passion."

"Ay, I'm not like to forget that either, Tom, nor your treatment of me when you came up with me!"

Tom looked down, reddening.

"Oons, sir," said he, gruffly, "we're rough customers, I know. But we had more than one account to settle with you, sir; and you