I say, as I'm ready to wager any man ten pound,
if he'll stand out wi' me any dry night in the pasture before the
Warren stables, as we shall neither see lights nor hear noises, if
it isn't the blowing of our own noses. That's what I say, and I've
said it many a time; but there's nobody'ull ventur a ten-pun' note
on their ghos'es as they make so sure of.'
'Why, Dowlas, that's easy betting, that is,' said Ben Winthrop.
'You might as well bet a man as he wouldn't catch the rheumatise if he
stood up to 's neck in the pool of a frosty night. It 'ud be fine
fun for a man to win his bet as he'd catch the rheumatise. Folks as
believe in Cliff's Holiday aren't agoing to ventur near it for a
matter o' ten pound.'
'If Master Dowlas wants to know the truth on it,' said Mr Macey,
with a sarcastic smile, tapping his thumbs together, 'he's no call
to lay any bet- let him go and stan' by himself- there's nobody 'ull
hinder him; and then he can let the parish'ners know if they're
wrong.'
'Thank you! I'm obliged to you,' said the farrier, with a snort
of scorn. 'If folks are fools, it's no business o' mine. I don't
want to make out the truth about ghos'es: I know it a'ready. But I'm
not against a bet- everything fair and open. Let any man bet me ten
pound as I shall see Cliff's Holiday, and I'll go and stand by myself.
I want no company. I'd as lief do it as I'd fill this pipe.
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