"I don't deny the girl's talented in her own way, but it's no way to marry on.

She'd much better make up her mind just to be a happy independent old maid; any woman might do worse.
And take no responsibilities." "There would always be you, Mother, for them to fall back on." It was as near as John Murchison ever got to flattery.
"No thank you, then! I've brought up six of my own, as well as I was able, which isn't saying much, and a hard life I've had of it.

Now I'm done with it; they'll have to find somebody else to fall back on.

If they get themselves into such a mess"-- Mrs Murchison stopped to laugh with sincere enjoyment--"they needn't look to me to get them out." "I guess you'd have a hand, Mother." "Not I.But the man isn't thinking of any such folly.

What do you suppose his salary is ?" "Eight hundred and fifty dollars a year.