"Thank yo'. There's many on 'em gets no more, and is not so bad off,--leastways does not show it as he does. But father won't let 'em want, now he knows. Yo' see, Boucher's been pulled down wi' his childer,--and her being so cranky, and a' they could pawn has gone this last twelvemonth. Yo're not to think we'd ha' letten 'em clem, for all we're a bit pressed oursel'; if neighbours doesn't see after neighbours, I dunno who will." Bessy seemed almost afraid lest Margaret should think they had not the will, and, to a certain degree, the power of helping one whom she evidently regarded as having a claim upon them. "Besides," she went on, "father is sure and positive the masters must give in within these next few days,--that they canna hould on much longer. But I thank yo' all the same,--I thank yo' for mysel', as much as for Boucher, for it jus makes my heart warm to yo' more and more."
Bessy seemed much quieter to-day, but fearfully languid and exhausted. As she finished speaking, she looked so faint and weary that Margaret became alarmed.

'Thank yo'. There's many on 'em gets no more, and is not so bad off. Yo' see, Boucher's been pulled down wi' his childer - and her being so cranky, and all they could pawn has gone. You're not to think we'd let 'em clem; if neighbours doesn't see after neighbours, I dunno who will.' Bessy seemed almost afraid lest Margaret should think they had not the will and the power of helping Boucher. 'Besides,' she went on, 'father is sure the masters must give in soon - they canna hould on much longer. But I thank yo' all the same; it just makes my heart warm to yo' more and more.'
As she finished speaking, Bessy looked so faint and exhausted that Margaret became alarmed.
