''Appen it wor,' she replied.
'And the gate locked.'
'That's it--the gate locked,' she repeated, sulkily, with a defiant
side-glance at Milly.
'And where's Pegtop?'
'At t'other side, somewhere; how should I know where he be?' she replied.
'Who's got the key?'
'Here it be, lass,' she answered, striking her hand on her pocket. 'And how
durst you stay us here? Unlock it, huzzy, this minute!' cried Milly, with a
stamp.
Her answer was a sullen smile.
'Open the gate this instant!' bawled Milly.
'Well, I _won't._'
I expected that Milly would have flown into a frenzy at this direct
defiance, but she looked instead puzzled and curious--the girl's unexpected
audacity bewildered her.
'Why, you fool, I could get over the paling as soon as look at you, but I
won't. What's come over you? Open the gate, I say, or I'll make you.'
'Do let her alone, dear,' I entreated, fearing a mutual assault. 'She has
been ordered, may be, not to open it. Is it so, my good girl?'
'Well, thou'rt not the biggest fool o' the two,' she observed,
commendatively, 'thou'st hit it, lass.'
'And who ordered you?' exclaimed Milly.
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