"Not he, sir. Never meant to," replied the dairyman. "As I say, 'tis
a widow-woman, and she had money, it seems--fifty poun' a year or so;
and that was all he was after. They were married in a great hurry;
and then she told him that by marrying she had lost her fifty poun'
a year. Just fancy the state o' my gentleman's mind at that news!
Never such a cat-and-dog life as they've been leading ever since!
Serves him well beright. But onluckily the poor woman gets the worst
o't."
"Well, the silly body should have told en sooner that the ghost of
her first man would trouble him," said Mrs Crick.
"Ay, ay," responded the dairyman indecisively. "Still, you can see
exactly how 'twas. She wanted a home, and didn't like to run the
risk of losing him. Don't ye think that was something like it,
maidens?"
He glanced towards the row of girls.
"She ought to ha' told him just before they went to church, when he
could hardly have backed out," exclaimed Marian.
"Yes, she ought," agreed Izz.
"She must have seen what he was after, and should ha' refused him,"
cried Retty spasmodically.
"And what do you say, my dear?" asked the dairyman of Tess.
"I think she ought--to have told him the true state of things--or
else refused him--I don't know," replied Tess, the bread-and-butter
choking her.
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