"Young man looks respectable enough.

He may have come home and not a sixpence in his pocket--who knows?
In these matters, my daughter, it's always best to know where the line is drawn before building your house." "He might have come home penniless; it would not have made a bit of difference to me, mother, I would love him just as much," replied Mattie.

"But I can forgive you, ma, for I know you did not mean what you said." And she kissed her mother, and retired for the night, the happiest woman in all Nyack..