It has aged me above
a bit. All my fifty years afore were but as a forenoon of child's play
to that night. Measter, too--I could a-bear a good deal, but measter
cuts through the stable-yard, and past me, wi'out a word, as if I was
poison, or a stinking foumart. It's that as is worst, Miss Nelly, it
is."
And the poor man brushed some tears from his eyes with the back of his
withered, furrowed hand. Ellinor caught the infection, and cried
outright, sobbed like a child, even while she held out her little white
thin hand to his grasp. For as soon as he saw her emotion, he was
penitent for what he had said.
"Don't now--don't," was all he could think of to say.
"Dixon!" said she at length, "you must not mind it. You must try not to
mind it. I see he does not like to be reminded of that, even by seeing
me. He tries never to be alone with me. My poor old Dixon, it has
spoilt my life for me; for I don't think he loves me any more."
She sobbed as if her heart would break; and now it was Dixon's turn to be
comforter.
"Ah, dear, my blessing, he loves you above everything. It's only he
can't a-bear the sight of us, as is but natural. And if he doesn't fancy
being alone with you, there's always one as does, and that's a comfort at
the worst of times. And don't ye fret about what I said a minute ago. I
were put out because measter all but pushed me out of his way this
morning, without never a word.
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