'I don't know where you'll pick up a handsomer, or a better-conducted one either, for the matter of that.' 'Indeed she is,' said Charley.
'Oh! for the matter of that, no one knows it better than yourself, Mr.Tudor; and she's as well able to keep a man's house over his head as some others that take a deal of pride in themselves.' 'I'm quite sure of it,' said Charley.
'Well, the long and the short of it is this, Mr.Tudor.' And as she spoke the widow got a little red in the face: she had, as Charley thought, an unpleasant look of resolution about her--a roundness about her mouth, and a sort of fierceness in her eyes.
'The long and the short of it is this, Mr.Tudor, what do you mean to do about the girl ?' 'Do about her ?' said Charley, almost bewildered in his misery.
'Yes, do about her.

Do you mean to make her your wife?
That's plain English.

Because I'll tell you what: I'll not see her put upon any longer.

It must be one thing or the other; and that at once.

And if you've a grain of honour in you, Mr.Tudor--and I think you are honourable--you won't back from your word with the girl now.' 'Back from my word ?' said Charley.
'Yes, back from your word,' said Mrs.Davis, the flood-gates of whose eloquence were now fairly opened.