"Lock the stable-door after the colt is stolen, eh ?" "Eben Merritt, what do you mean ?" "I mean that the boy comes here now an then, not courting the girl, as I take it, at all, and shows so far no signs of anything amiss, and had, in my opinion, best be let alone.

Lord, when I was his age, if a girl like Lucina had been in the question, and anybody had tried to rein me up short, I'd have kicked over the breeches entirely.

I'd have either got her or blown my brains out.

That boy can take care of himself, anyhow.

He'll stop coming here of his own accord, if he thinks he'd better." Abigail sniffed scornfully with her thin nostrils.
"Wait and see," said the Squire.
"I shall wait a long time before I see," she said, but she was mistaken.