dears? We're told it's a holy Ordnance. And why are ye so comfortable in
matrimony? For that ye are not a sinnin'! And they that severs ye they
tempts ye to stray: and you learn too late the meanin' o' them blessin's
of the priest--as it was ordained. Separate--what comes? Fust it's like
the circulation of your blood a-stoppin'--all goes wrong. Then there's
misunderstandings--ye've both lost the key. Then, behold ye, there's
birds o' prey hoverin' over each on ye, and it's which'll be snapped up
fust. Then--Oh, dear! Oh, dear! it be like the devil come into the world
again." Mrs. Berry struck her hands and moaned. "A day I'll give ye:
I'll go so far as a week: but there's the outside. Three months dwellin'
apart! That's not matrimony, it's divorcin'! what can it be to her but
widowhood? widowhood with no cap to show for it! And what can it be to
you, my dear? Think! you been a bachelor three months! and a bachelor
man," Mrs. Berry shook her head most dolefully, "he ain't widow woman.
I don't go to compare you to Berry, my dear young gentleman. Some men's
hearts is vagabonds born--they must go astray--it's their natur' to. But
all men are men, and I know the foundation of 'em, by reason of my woe."

Mrs. Berry paused. Richard was humorously respectful to the sermon.
The truth in the good creature's address was not to be disputed, or
despised, notwithstanding the inclination to laugh provoked by her
quaint way of putting it. Ripton nodded encouragingly at every sentence,
for he saw her drift, and wished to second it.

Seeking for an illustration of her meaning, Mrs. Berry solemnly
continued: "We all know what checked prespiration is." But neither
of the young gentlemen could resist this. Out they burst in a roar of
laughter.

"Laugh away," said Mrs. Berry. "I don't mind ye. I say again, we all
do know what checked prespiration is. It fly to the lungs, it gives ye
mortal inflammation, and it carries ye off. Then I say checked matrimony
is as bad. It fly to the heart, and it carries off the virtue that's
in ye, and you might as well be dead! Them that is joined it's their
salvation not to separate! It don't so much matter before it. That Mr.
Thompson there--if he go astray, it ain't from the blessed fold. He hurt
himself alone--not double, and belike treble, for who can say now what
may be? There's time for it. I'm for holding back young people so that
they knows their minds, howsomever they rattles about their hearts. I