FORE:Reuben could not help feeling relieved at Albert's death, but he had noticed with some alarm Pete's definitely religious phraseology. He hoped that Ades had not corrupted him from his pure churchmanship, the honourable churchmanship of the Backfields. Being[Pg 376] a Dissenter was only one degree better than being a Liberal, and Reuben swore to keep a firm hand over Pete in future."A girl Oh, no! I want another boy."
"The man as shot my cow shall answer fur it before the magistrate," he said severely.He could not restrain himself any longer. He must see Rose, and vent on her all the miserable rage with[Pg 319] which his heart was seething. He longed to strike herhe longed to beat her, for the wanton that she was. And he longed to clasp her in his arms and weep on her breast and caress her, for the woman that she was."Harry's got a wife and children to keephe cudn't help us; and Johnnie's never m?ade more'n fifteen shilling a week since the war.""His mother's dead, and I have to be looking after him, surelye.""If you'd asked me after the Fair, lad, I might have been able to let you have a shillun or two. But this time o' year, I'm as poor as you are."
