第41章

’Taksmarlboocket，andbaleunout；wad’ewastesichstoofasthicherebe？’SoBettysetmetofeedthepigs，whilesheheldthelanthorn；andknowingwhatshewas，Isawthatshewouldnottellmeanotherworduntilallthepigswereserved。Andintruthnomancouldwelllookatthem，anddelaytoservethem，theywereallexpressingappetiteinsoforcibleamanner；

somerunningtoandfro，andrubbing，andsquealingasiffromstarvation，somerushingdowntotheoakentroughs，andpokingeachotherawayfromthem；andthekindestofallputtinguptheirfore-feetonthetop-railonthehog-pound，andblinkingtheirlittleeyes，andgruntingprettilytocoaxus；aswhowouldsay，’Itrustyounow；youwillbekind，Iknow，andgivemethefirstandtheverybestofit。’

’Oppenge-atnow，wull’e，Jan？Maind，youngsowwi’

thebaiblebackarlwayhathfirsttoornofit，’cosI

broughtheruponmylap，Idid。Zuck，zuck，zuck!Howherstickthhertailup；domegoodtozeeun!Nowthiccytrough，theezany，andtaktheegirtlegsouto’

thewai。Wishtheywudgietheeagoodbaite，maktheehopabitvaster，Ireckon。Hitthattheregirtozebirdover’sbackwi’thebroomstick，heberobbingofmyyoungzow。Choog，choog，choog!andadrapmoreleftinthedripping-pail。’

’Comenow，Betty，’Isaid，whenallthepigswereatitsucking，swilling，munching，guzzling，thrusting，andousting，andspillingthefooduponthebacksoftheirbrethren(asgreatmendowiththeircharity)，’comenow，Betty，howmuchlongeramItowaitforyourmessage？SurelyIamasgoodasapig。’

’Dunnoastheebe，Jan。Nostraikinessinthybakkon。

AndnowIcometothinkofit，Jan，theezed，awakeagonelastVriday，ashowIhadgotagirtbe-ard。

Wull’esticktothatnow，MaisterJan？’

’No，no，Betty，certainlynot；Imadeamistakeaboutit。Ishouldhavesaidabecomingmustachio，suchasyoumaywellbeproudof。’

’Thentheebealaiar，JanRidd。Zayso，laikeaman，lad。’

’Notexactlythat，Betty；butImadeagreatmistake；

andIhumblyaskyourpardon；andifsuchathingasacrown-piece，Betty’——

’Nofai，nofai!’saidBetty，howeversheputitintoherpocket；’nowtakmyadvice，Jan；theemarryZallySnowe。’

’NotwithallEnglandforherdowry。Oh，Betty，youknowbetter。’

’Ah’sme!Iknowmuchworse，Jan。Breakthypoormother’sheartitwill。Andtothinkofarlthedanger!DostloveLarnanowsomuch？’

’Withallthestrengthofmyheartandsoul。Iwillhaveher，orIwilldie，Betty。’

’Wull。Theewilldieineithercase。Butitbaintformetoargify。Anddoherlovetheetoo，Jan？’

’Ihopeshedoes，BettyIhopeshedoes。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit？’

’Ah，thenImayholdmytonguetoit。Knawwhatboysandmaidensbe，aswellasIknewyoungpegs。Imyzellbeeno’thatzortonetaimeeverybitsowellasyoube。’AndBettyheldthelanthornup，anddefiedmetodenyit；andthelightthroughthehornshowedagleaminhereyes，suchasIhadneverseertherebefore。

’Noodds，nooddsaboutthat，’shecontinued；’makafoolofmyzelltospakeofit。Arlgoneintochurchyard。Butitbealuckyfooleryforthee，myboy，Icantull’ee。ForIlovetoseetheloveinthee。Coom’thovermeasthespringdo，thoughIbenaighthreescore。Now，Jan，Iwilltelltheeonething，can’tabeartozeetheevrettingso。Houldtheeheaddown，sameastheypegsdo。’

SoIbentmyheadquiteclosetoher；andshewhisperedinmyear，’Gooofamarning，theegirtsoft。Hercan’tgetoutofanaveningnow，herhathzentwordtome，totull’ee。’

Inthegloryofmydelightatthis，IbestoweduponBettyachastesalute，withallthepigsforwitnesses；

andshetookitnotamiss，consideringhowlongshehadbeenoutofpractice。Butthenshefellback，likeabroomonitshandle，andstaredatme，feigninganger。

’Ohfai，ohfai!Lunnonimpudence，Idoubt。Iveartheehastgoneonzadly，Jan。’

OfcourseIwasuptheverynextmorningbeforetheOctobersunrise，andawaythroughthewildandthewoodlandtowardstheBagworthywater，a