And look at what she has done for this house.

I kenna what we should do if she didna come in nows and nans." "You ken well, Aaron," they said, "that onything we could do in the way o' keeping your house in order we should do gladly." "Thank you," he replied ungraciously, "but I would rather have her." Nevertheless he agreed that he ought to forbid any intercourse with the Painted Lady, and unfortunately Grizel heard of this.

Probably there never would have been any such intercourse; Grizel guarded against it more than anyone, for reasons she never spoke of, but she resented this veto proudly.
"Why must you not speak to my mamma ?" she demanded of Tommy and Elspeth.
"Because--because she is a queer one," he said.
"She is not a queer one--she is just sweet." He tried to evade the question by saying weakly, "We never see her to speak to at any rate, so it will make no difference.

It's no as if you ever asked us to come to Double Dykes." "But I ask you now," said Grizel, with flashing eyes.
"Oh, I darena!" cried Elspeth.
"Then I won't ever come into your house again," said Grizel, decisively.
"No to redd up ?" asked Tommy, incredulously.

"No to bake nor to iron?
You couldna help it." "Yes I could." "Think what you'll miss!" Grizel might have retorted, "Think what you will miss!" but perhaps the reply she did make had a sharper sting in it.