My wife was usually fond of a weesel skin purse, as being the most lucky; but this by the bye.

We had still a regard for Mr Burchell, though his late rude behaviour was in some measure displeasing; nor could we now avoid communicating our happiness to him, and asking his advice: although we seldom followed advice, we were all ready enough to ask it.

When he read the note from the two ladies, he shook his head, and observed, that an affair of this sort demanded the utmost circumspection .-- This air of diffidence highly displeased my wife.

'I never doubted, Sir,' cried she, 'your readiness to be against my daughters and me.

You have more circumspection than is wanted.
However, I fancy when we come to ask advice, we will apply to persons who seem to have made use of it themselves.'-- 'Whatever my own conduct may have been, madam,' replied he, 'is not the present question; tho' as I have made no use of advice myself, I should in conscience give it to those that will.'-- As I was apprehensive this answer might draw on a repartee, making up by abuse what it wanted in wit, I changed the subject, by seeming to wonder what could keep our son so long at the fair, as it was now almost nightfall.--'Never mind our son,' cried my wife, 'depend upon it he knows what he is about.