Snippet #1666186

"Pssst!" hissed Silas. "I'm not s'posed to be here, Ma'am. The ol' beldame - erm, begging your pardon, Ma'am, your mother - says no outside servants in the big 'ouse. But I gotta talk to you, see...

"I just 'eard your da talking to Lor' Bedd'n'ton. 'e was more or less sayin' e' reckoned it was OK for Bedd'n'ton to court you, Ma'am. So that's all right, like. But I reckon you better pretty yourself up, like, afore you go in, 'cos Lord B, 'e's gonna remember this day rest of 'is life. But I got some bad news, too, see...

"Crispan, 'e lef' work early today, said 'e 'ad a belly-ache. But I follered 'im - an' 'e 'ad a meetin' with - with some cove. They was looking around furtive, like, an' whisperin'. But I 'eard Lord B's name mentioned, an' they looked like they was up to no good. Thought you should know, Ma'am!"