|
||||||||
what I shall find money for any longer. Theres my grandfather had his stables full o horses, and kept a good house too, and in worse times, by what I can make out; and so might I, if I hadnt four good-for- nothing fellows to hang on me like horse-leeches. Ive been too good a father to you allthats what it is. But I shall pull up, sir. Godfrey was silent. He was not likely to be very penetrating in his judgments, but he had always had a sense that his fathers indulgence had not been kindness, and had had a vague longing for some discipline that would have checked his own errant weakness and helped his better will. The Squire ate his bread and meat hastily, took a deep draught of ale, then turned his chair from the table, and began to speak again. Itll be all the worse for you, you know; youd need try and help me keep things together. Well, sir, Ive often offered to take the management of things; but you know youve taken it ill always, and seemed to think I wanted to push you out of your place. I know nothing o your offering or o my taking it ill, said the Squire, whose memory consisted in certain strong impressions unmodified by detail; but I know one while you seemed to be thinking o marrying, and I didnt offer to put any obstacles in your way, as some fathers would. Id as lieve you married Lammeters daughter as anybody. I suppose if Id said you nay youd ha kept on with it; but for want o contradiction youve changed your mind. Youre a shilly-shally fellow: you take after your poor mother. She never had a will of her own; a woman has no call for one, if shes got a proper man for her husband. But your wife had need have one, for you hardly know your own mind enough to make both your legs walk one way. The lass hasnt said downright she wont have you, has she? No, said Godfrey, feeling very hot and uncomfortable; but I dont think she will. Think! Why havent you the courage to ask her? Do you stick to it, you want to have herthats the thing? Theres no other woman I want to marry, said Godfrey evasively. Well, then, let me make the offer for you, thats all, if you havent the pluck to do it yourself. Lammeter isnt likely to be loath for his daughter to marry into my family, I should think. And as for the pretty lass, she wouldnt have her cousin; and theres nobody else as I see could ha stood in your way. Id rather let it be, please sir, at present, said Godfrey, in alarm. I think shes a little offended with me just now, and I should like to speak for myself. A man must manage these things for himself. Well, speak, then, and manage it, and see if you cant turn over a new leaf. Thats what a man must do when he thinks o marrying. I dont see how I can think of it at present, sir. You wouldnt like to settle me on one of the farms, I suppose, and I dont think shed come to live in this house with all my brothers. Its a different sort of life to what shes been used to. Not come to live in this house? Dont tell me. You ask her, thats all, said the Squire, with a short, scornful laugh. Id rather let the thing be at present, sir, said Godfrey. I hope you wont try to hurry it on by saying anything. I shall do what I choose, said the Squire, and I shall let you know Im master; else you may turn out, and find an estate to drop into somewhere else. Go out and tell Winthrop not to go to Coxs, but wait for me. And tell em to get my horse saddled. And stop: look out and get that hack o Dunseys sold, and hand me the money, will you? Hell keep no more hacks at my expense. And if you know where hes |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details. | ||||||||