Polly like any other man."

"Just so."

"But the way to get a girl like that isn't not to come and see her
for a month. There are others after our Polly, I can tell you;--and
men who would take her with nothing but her smock on."

"I'm quite sure of that. No one can see her without admiring her."

"Then what's the good of talking of doubts? I like you because you
are a gentleman;--and I can put you on your legs, which, from all I
hear, is a kind of putting you want bad enough just at present. Say
the word, and come down to tea this evening."

"The fact is, Mr. Neefit, this is a very serious matter."

"Serious! Twenty thousand pounds is serious. There ain't a doubt
about that. If you mean to say you don't like the bargain,"--and
as he said this there came a black cloud upon Mr. Neefit's
brow,--"you've only got to say the word. Our Polly is not to be
pressed upon any man. But don't let's have any shilly-shallying."

"Tell me one thing, Mr. Neefit."

"Well;--what's that?"

"Have you spoken to your daughter about this?"

Mr. Neefit was silent for a moment, "Well, no; I haven't," he said.
"But, I spoke to her mother, and women is always talking. Mind,
I don't know what our Polly would say to you, but I do think she
expects something. There's a chap lives nigh to us who used always to
be sneaking round; but she has snubbed him terribly this month past.
So my wife tells me. You come and try, Mr. Newton, and then you'll
know all about it."

Ralph was aware that he had not as yet begun to explain his
difficulty to the anxious father. "You see, Mr. Neefit," he
said,--and then he paused. It had been much easier for him to talk to
Sir Thomas than to the breaches-maker.

"If you don't like it,--say so," said Mr. Neefit;--"and don't let us
have no shilly-shallying."

"I do like it."

"Then give us your hand, and come out this evening and have a bit
of some'at to eat and a drop of some'at hot, and pop the question.
That's about the way to do it."

"Undoubtedly;--but marriage is such a serious thing!"

"So it is serious,--uncommon serious to owe a fellow a lot of money
you can't pay him. I call that very serious."

"Mr. Neefit, I owe you nothing but what I can pay you."

"You're very slow about it, Mr. Newton; that's all I can say. But I
wasn't just talking of myself. After what's passed between you and me
I ain't going to be hard upon you."

"I'll tell you what, Mr. Neefit," said Ralph at last,--"of course you