CHAPTER XIV.
SERIOUS CHARGES "Stephen, if it was anybody else, you would listen to me in a moment," said Mrs.Anerley to her lord, a few days after that little interview in the Bempton Lane; "for instance, if it was poor Willie, how long would you be in believing it?
But because it is Mary, you say 'pooh! pooh!' And I may as well talk to the old cracked churn." "First time of all my born days," the farmer answered, with a pleasant smile, "that ever I was resembled to a churn.

But a man's wife ought to know best about un." "Stephen, it is not the churn--I mean you; and you never should attempt to ride off in that sort of way.

I tell you Mary hath a mischief on her mind; and you never ought to bring up old churns to me.

As long as I can carry almost anything in mind, I have been considered to be full of common-sense.

And what should I use it upon, Captain Anerley, without it was my own daughter ?" The farmer was always conquered when she called him "Captain Anerley." He took it to point at him as a pretender, a coxcomb fond of titles, a would-be officer who took good care to hold aloof from fighting.