"You didn't think much of her that day, young gentleman! I introduced ye.
Well! things comes about.

Can't you wait till she returns in due course, now ?" This suggestion, the work of the pipe, did but bring on him another torrent.
"It's queer," said the farmer, putting the mouth of the pipe to his wrinkled-up temples.
Richard waited for him, and then he laid down the pipe altogether, as no aid in perplexity, and said, after leaning his arm on the table and staring at Richard an instant: "Look, young gentleman! My word's gone.

I've spoke it.

I've given 'em the 'surance she shan't be back till the Spring, and then I'll have her, and then--well! I do hope, for more reasons than one, ye'll both be wiser--I've got my own notions about her.

But I an't the man to force a gal to marry 'gainst her inclines.