They do not irritate me in the least--indeed, I am not sure that they do not amuse me.' 'Ah, mother, that's like you; you philosophise your way through a difficulty, and I always want to fight my way out.

It's so much easier.' 'Yes, dear; but do you get out?
Do you know that Ephraim Shine is the most litigious man in the township?
He runs to the law with every little trouble, whilst inviting his neighbours to carry all theirs to the Lord.
Had you beaten him he would have proceeded against you, and--Oh! my boy, my boy! are you going to make my troubles greater?
And I had such hopes.' 'Hush, mother.

'Pon my soul, I won't! I'm going to hold myself down tight after this.

An', look here, I've got an idea.

I'm going to Pete Holden to-morrow to ask him to put me on at the Stream, same shift as poor Frank was on, if possible.' 'Put on the brother of the man who--' 'Yes, mother, the brother of the thief.