'Oh, I wish - I wish I'd never borrowed that unlucky money, it was the beginning of it all.Oh, Molly, I have saved and scrimped to repay it, and he won't take it now; I thought if I could but repay it, it would set me free.'
'You seem to imply you sold yourself for twenty pounds,' he said.They were nearly on the common now, close to the protection of the cottages, in very hearing of their inmates; if neither of the other two thought of this Molly did, and resolved in her mind to call in at one of them, and ask for the labourer's protection home; at any rate his presence must put a stop to this miserable altercation.
'I did not sell myself; I liked you then.But oh, how I do hate you now!' cried Cynthia, unable to contain her words.
He bowed and turned back, vanishing rapidly down the field staircase.'
At any rate that was a relief.Yet the two girls hastened on, as if he was still pursuing them.Once, when Molly said something to Cynthia, the latter replied, -'Molly, if you pity me - if you love me - don't say anything more just now.We shall have to look as if nothing had happened when we get home.
Come to my room when we go upstairs to bed, and I will tell you all.Iknow you will blame me terribly, but I will tell you all.'