Great wonder Jack didn't come home clean drunk." "Dad, you're as good as gold," said Columbine, softening.

How could she feel hard toward him?
"Collie, then you're not agoin' back on the ole man ?" "No." "I was afeared you'd change your mind about marryin' Jack." "When I promised I meant it.

I didn't make it on conditions." "But, lass, promises can be broke," he said, with the sonorous roll in his voice.
"I never yet broke one of mine." "Wal, I hev.

Not often, mebbe, but I hev....

An', lass, it's reasonable.
Thar's times when a man jest can't live up to what he swore by.