Читать книгу Gallybird онлайн

81 страница из 87

"Let 'un hear. She shan't take on airs and talk of her mother when she means mine."

"So she's been talking of her mother, hath she? The filthy trot! How dare she talk of her mother? I'll scratch her face for't when thou'st done."

"Nay," bellowed Relph as loud as one of his own oxen, "'a done wud your towzing, all of 'ee. I'm the man to towze her."

They tumbled round Condemnation like steers. She fought them, kicking and scratching and spitting, but they were too many for her, and she was flung from one to another. Even Nanny Stook joined in the game, cackling like a hen, and tumbling into the arms of Relph whenever she had the chance. Then suddenly the whole air crashed and roared.

For a moment they all stood still. Then Relph cried. "'Tis the ordnance! Hooray! They mun be testing cannon at Petty Dows."

He had been holding Condemnation, the moment's victor in their game of grab, but in his excitement he let her go. David seized her, just as she would have run away from this new terror.