He only told us an hour ago, or we'd
have seen thee was ready.'
'I don't believe thee; thee's only romancing,' said Martha, turning very
pale. 'The old place is our own, and no master has any right to it, save
Stephen.'
'It's no use wasting breath,' replied William Morris. 'The master says
he's bought the place from thy grandfather, lass; and he agreed to turn
out by noon on Michaelmas Day. Master doesn't want to be hard upon you;
and he says, if you've no place to turn in to, you may go to the old
cabin on the upper cinder-hill, till there's a cottage empty in Botfield;
and we'll help thee to move the things at wunst. We're to get the roof
off and the walls down afore nightfall.'
'Grandfather and little Nan!' screamed Martha; 'get into the house this
minute! It's no use you men coming up here on this errand. You know
grandfather's simple, and he hasn't sold the house; how could he? He's no
more sense than little Nan. No, no; you must go down to the works, and
hear what Stephen says. You're a pack of rascals, every one of you, and
the master's the biggest; and you'll all have to gnash your teeth over
this business some day, I reckon.
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