"I don't know about that, father," said Dick rather stupidly.

"But I do--Wey, Smiler!--'Od rot the women, 'tis nothing else wi' 'em
nowadays but getting young men and leading 'em astray."

"Pooh, father! you just repeat what all the common world says; that's all
you do."

"The world's a very sensible feller on things in jineral, Dick; very
sensible indeed."

Dick looked into the distance at a vast expanse of mortgaged estate. "I
wish I was as rich as a squire when he's as poor as a crow," he murmured;
"I'd soon ask Fancy something."

"I wish so too, wi' all my heart, sonny; that I do. Well, mind what
beest about, that's all."

Smart moved on a step or two. "Supposing now, father,--We-hey, Smart!--I
did think a little about her, and I had a chance, which I ha'n't; don't
you think she's a very good sort of--of--one?"

"Ay, good; she's good enough. When you've made up your mind to marry,
take the first respectable body that comes to hand--she's as good as any
other; they be all alike in the groundwork; 'tis only in the flourishes
there's a difference. She's good enough; but I can't see what the nation
a young feller like you--wi' a comfortable house and home, and father and
mother to take care o' thee, and who sent 'ee to a school so good that
'twas hardly fair to the other children--should want to go hollering
after a young woman for, when she's quietly making a husband in her