"I'll tell you, sir," said Joe. "T' maister's not so fond of talking. I've no objections. He courted Sarah, Mr. Moore's sarvant lass, and so it seems she would have nothing to say to him; she either didn't like his wooden leg or she'd some notion about his being a hypocrite. Happen (for women is queer hands; we may say that amang werseln when there's none of 'em nigh) she'd have encouraged him, in spite of his leg and his deceit, just to pass time like. I've known some on 'em do as mich, and some o' t' bonniest and mimmest-looking, too--ay, I've seen clean, trim young things, that looked as denty and pure as daisies, and wi' time a body fun' 'em out to be nowt but stinging, venomed nettles."
"Joe's a sensible fellow," interjected Helstone.

"He courted Sarah, Mr. Moore's sarvant lass," said Joe, "and she would have nothing to say to him. Happen she'd have encouraged him, in spite of his leg and his deceit, just to pass time like. I've known some on 'em do as much - ay, I've seen trim young women, that looked as pure as daisies, turn out to be nowt but stinging nettles."
"Sensible fellow," said Helstone.
