Anyhow oi would chance it, and perhaps they wouldn't find me out." Ned grasped his friend's hand.
"I could kill him myself!" he exclaimed passionately.

"I have been thinking of it; but what would be the good?
I know what my mother is--when once she has made up her mind there's no turning her; and if this fellow were out of the way, likely enough she would take up with another in no time." "But it couldn't been as bad as if wur Foxey," Bill urged, "he be the very worsest lot about Marsden." "I would do it," Ned said passionately; "I would do it over and over again, but for the disgrace it would bring on Charlie and Lucy." "But there would be no disgrace if oi was to do it, Maister Ned." "Yes, there would, Bill--a worse disgrace than if I did it myself.

It would be a nice thing to let you get hanged for my affairs; but let him look out--let him try to ill treat Charlie and Lucy, and he will see if I don't get even with him.

I am not so much afraid of that--it's the shame of the thing.

Only to think that all Marsden should know my mother is going to be married again within a year of my father's death, and that after being his wife she was going to take such a man as this! It's awful, downright awful, Bill!" "Then what art thou going to do, Maister Ned--run away and 'list for a soldier, or go to sea ?" "I wish I could," Ned exclaimed.