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Show Page 92 got to do it else we won't have any decoys, will we?" she said, her lip curling as she looked toward her husband, who took no notice of us, but continued his weeding. "And what do you want, missy?" she asked. "I heard you were in Martin's Hundred, but I figured you'd had enough of the likes of me aboard ship." It was a mistake to come, I thought, as Rose glared at me. Curiosity had brought me to her door and I had expected a welcome. But it was plain Rose did not want visitors, even in a land where loneliness ran deep. "We have come to say hello is all," I answered. "And to bring you this." I reached behind me to where Twig had retreated and took the hare from his hand. "Twig made a fine catch today," I explained. "This is Mistress Howe, Twig," I added, drawing him round in front of me. I heard Twig gasp and the color fled his cheeks. Rose smiled, a harsh smile that showed her yellow teeth. "Why if it isn't Twig of the streets," she said. "Fancy finding you here." Twig made no reply. He backed 'gainst my skirts as though fearing for his life, his face as pale as Rose's. "Twig and me, we know each other, don't we?" Rose said, taking up a knife from beside her on the step and swiftly gutting the hare. "From London?" I asked, perplexed by Twig's behavior. |
