For her civility, indeed, the Cheap Jack’s wife was taken to task by her husband in a few moments when they were alone together.
“I thought you was sharper than to be took in by him!” said the hunchback, indignantly. “Do you believe all that gag about the bank and the bundle? and you, as soft to him, telling him every blessed thing, and he stowed the cash and the letter somewheres where we shall never catch a sight of ’em, and got every thing out of you as easy as shelling a pod of peas.” And in language as strong as that of the miller’s man the Cheap Jack swore he could have done better himself a hundred times over.
“Could you?” said the large-mouthed woman, contemptuously. “I wouldn’t live long in the country, I wouldn’t, if it was to make me such a owl as you’ve turned into. It ain’t much farther than your nose _you_ sees!”
“Never mind me, Sal, my dear,” said the hunchback, anxiously. “I trusts you, my dear. And it seems to me as if you thought he’d got ’em about him. Do you, my dear, and why? And why did you tell him the truth, straight on end, when a made-up tale would have done as well, and kept him in the dark?”
“Why did I tell him the truth?” repeated the woman. “’Cos I ain’t such a countrified fool as to think lies is allus the cleverest tip, ’cos the truth went farthest this time. Why do I think he’s got ’em about him? First, ’cos he swore so steady he hadn’t. For a ready lie, and for acting a lie, and over-acting it at times, give me townspeople; but for a thundering big un, against all reason, and for sticking to it stupid when they’re downright convicted, and with a face as innercent as a baby’s, give me a country lump. And next, because I can tell with folks a deal sharper than him, even to which side of ’em the pocket is they’ve got what they wants to hide in, by the way they moves their head and their hands.”
“Which side is it of him, Sal?” said the hunchback, with ugly eagerness.
“The left,” said Sal; “but it won’t be there long.”
THE MILLER’S MAN AT THE MOP.—A LIVELY COMPANION.—SAL LOSES HER PURSE.—THE RECRUITING SERGEANT.—THE POCKET-BOOK TWICE STOLEN.—GEORGE IN THE KING’S ARMS.—GEORGE IN THE KING’S SERVICE.—THE LETTER CHANGES HANDS, BUT KEEPS ITS SECRET.