they have made such a rout about her being so handsome, and
so charming, and I know not what, and that in her hearing too,
that has turned the creature's head, I believe, and who knows
what possessions may follow such doings? For my part, I
don't know what to make of it.'

'Why, sister, you must acknowledge she is very handsome,'
says the elder brother.

'Ay, and a great deal handsomer than you, sister,' says Robin,
'and that's your mortification.'

'Well, well, that is not the question,' says his sister; 'that girl
is well enough, and she knows it well enough; she need not
be told of it to make her vain.'

'We are not talking of her being vain,' says the elder brother,
'but of her being in love; it may be she is in love with herself;
it seems my sisters think so.'

'I would she was in love with me,' says Robin; 'I'd quickly
put her out of her pain.'

'What d'ye mean by that, son,' says the old lady; 'how can
you talk so?'

'Why, madam,' says Robin, again, very honestly, 'do you
think I'd let the poor girl die for love, and of one that is near
at hand to be had, too?'