"You're my elders and betters, you know; I was obliged to come when you sent for me." "Why, this is what I want--and just shake yourself sober and listen, will you ?" said Godfrey, savagely.

He had himself been drinking more than was good for him, trying to turn his gloom into uncalculating anger.

"I want to tell you, I must hand over that rent of Fowler's to the Squire, or else tell him I gave it you; for he's threatening to distrain for it, and it'll all be out soon, whether I tell him or not.
He said, just now, before he went out, he should send word to Cox to distrain, if Fowler didn't come and pay up his arrears this week.

The Squire's short o' cash, and in no humour to stand any nonsense; and you know what he threatened, if ever he found you making away with his money again.

So, see and get the money, and pretty quickly, will you ?" "Oh!" said Dunsey, sneeringly, coming nearer to his brother and looking in his face.