Having been frequently lectured by his wife for being so easy and gullible, he was now eager to believe himself a very Shylock.

Did not like to rob little Kate of her marriage portion, he said, but he must have the best or none.

He wanted the whole south half of 26.
And so Mr.Plausaby sold him the corner-lot and the one next to it for ever so much more than their value, pathetically remarking that he'd have to hunt up some other lots for Kate.

And then Mr.Plausaby took the fat gentleman out and showed him the identical corner, with the little oak and the slope to the south.
"Mother," said Albert, when they were gone, "is Katy going to be married in the spring ?" "Why, how should I know ?" queried Mrs.Plausaby, as she adjusted her collar, the wide collar of that day, and set her breastpin before the glass.

"How should I know?
Katy has never told me.