"Tom wanted you to go there?" said Mrs. Hamon in amazement.
"So she said."
Grannie's disparaging sniff was charged with libel.
* * * * *
"Well?" asked Tom of his wife, when he came in later on with Peter
Mauger, who had come over for supper. "Got your lodger?"
"No."
"That's what I told you," with a provocative laugh.
"Oh, he'd have come quick enough."
"Would, would he? Then why didn't he?"
"I wouldn't trust myself alone in the house with that man."
"Ah!" said Tom, staring at her. "Always thought he was a bad lot myself,
didn't I, Peter?"
Peter nodded.
"It's a wonder to me that Mrs. Hamon lets him run after that girl of
hers as she does," said Julie.
"If I catch him up to any of his tricks I'll break his head for him."
"Maybe it would be a good thing for little Nance if you did."
"Knew he was a toad as soon as I set eyes on him, so did Peter. Didn't
you, Peter?"
Peter nodded.
"What d'he say to you?" demanded Tom.
"Didn't say much. Asked if you were much away at the fishing and that.
But the way he looked at me!--I've got the shivers down my back yet,"
and a virtuous little shudder shook her and made a visible impression on
Peter.
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