living-room of the little house.

She opened the attack with the desperate courage which is in all mothers
when they think for their children, howsoever mean the thoughts may be.

'Ye two men, ye're both in love with my Sarah!'

Their bashful silence gave consent to the barefaced proposition. She
went on.

'Neither of ye has much!' Again they tacitly acquiesced in the soft
impeachment.

'I don't know that either of ye could keep a wife!' Though neither said
a word their looks and bearing expressed distinct dissent. Mrs. Trefusis
went on:

'But if ye'd put what ye both have together ye'd make a comfortable home
for one of ye--and Sarah!' She eyed the men keenly, with her cunning
eyes half shut, as she spoke; then satisfied from her scrutiny that the
idea was accepted she went on quickly, as if to prevent argument:

'The girl likes ye both, and mayhap it's hard for her to choose. Why
don't ye toss up for her? First put your money together--ye've each got
a bit put by, I know. Let the lucky man take the lot and trade with it a
bit, and then come home and marry her. Neither of ye's afraid, I
suppose! And neither of ye'll say that he won't do that much for the
girl that ye both say ye love!'

Abel broke the silence: