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.

'Fayther.'

'Old Pegtop. Well, _that's_ summat to laugh at, it is--our servant
a-shutting us out of our own grounds.'

'No servant o' yourn!'