'No,' said I, 'I had no dislike to you; though, if you were to meddle
with me--'

_Man_. Of course, my gorgeous, of course you would; and quite right too.
Meddle with you!--what right have we? I should say, it would not be
quite safe. I see how it is; you are one of them there;--and he bent his
head towards his left shoulder.

_Myself_. Yes, I am one of them--for I thought he was alluding to the
soldiers,--you had best mind what you are about, I can tell you.

_Man_. Don't doubt we will for our own sake; Lord bless you, wifelkin,
only think that we should see one of them there when we least thought
about it. Well, I have heard of such things, though I never thought to
see one; however, seeing is believing. Well! now you are come, and are
not going to do us any mischief, I hope you will stay; you can do us
plenty of good if you will.

_Myself_. What good could I do you?

_Man_. What good? plenty! Would you not bring us luck? I have heard
say that one of them there always does, if it will but settle down. Stay
with us, you shall have a tilted cart all to yourself if you like. We'll
make you our little God Almighty, and say our prayers to you every
morning!

_Myself_. That would be nice; and, if you were to give me plenty of
these things, I should have no objection. But what would my father say?
I think he would hardly let me.