Cripps, the Carrier

"[...]prevent herself from screaming; for something told her that she was watching a darker crime than theft of roots or robbery of a sheepfold. In a short or a long time—she knew not which—as she still lay hid and dared not show her face above the gorse-tuft, a sound of sliding and falling shale heavily shook her refuge. She drew herself closer, and prayed to the Lord, and clasped her hands before her eyes, and cowered, expecting to be killed at least. And then she peeped forth, to know what it was about. She never had harmed any mortal body; why should she be frightened so? In the catch of the breath which comes when sudden courage makes gulp at uncertainty, she lifted herself[...]".