Mrs. Yolland produced out of her pocket, a few shillings and sixpences,
and counted them out with a most particular and exasperating carefulness
in the palm of her hand. She offered the money to the Sergeant, looking
mighty loth to part with it all the while.
"Might I ask you to give this back to Rosanna, with my love and
respects?" says Mrs. Yolland. "She insisted on paying me for the one or
two things she took a fancy to this evening--and money's welcome enough
in our house, I don't deny it. Still, I'm not easy in my mind about
taking the poor thing's little savings. And to tell you the truth,
I don't think my man would like to hear that I had taken Rosanna
Spearman's money, when he comes back to-morrow morning from his work.
Please say she's heartily welcome to the things she bought of me--as
a gift. And don't leave the money on the table," says Mrs. Yolland,
putting it down suddenly before the Sergeant, as if it burnt her
fingers--"don't, there's a good man! For times are hard, and flesh is
weak; and I MIGHT feel tempted to put it back in my pocket again."
"Come along!" I said, "I can't wait any longer: I must go back to the
house.
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