Instead he tried a new hazard.
"Phin," he pleaded, "don't be too hard.

Just think of what'll happen if you come out with that--that wild-goose yarn of yours.
Think of Maud, poor girl.

You haven't got anything against her, have you ?" "Yes, I have.

She's stuck-up and nose in the air and looks at me as if I was some sort of--of a bug she wouldn't want to step on for fear of mussin' up her shoes.

I never did like her, blast her.
But leavin' that all to one side, she's Sam Hunniwell's young-one and that's enough for me." "But she's his only child, Phin." "Good enough! I had a boy; he was an only child, too, you'll remember.