"He ain't got no receipt against kingdom come, I dare say." Ralph was surprised by his tradesman's eloquence and wit. "You have a chick of your own, and then you'll know as it'll be yours some way or other. If I'd the chance I'd sooner beg, borrow, starve, or die, before I'd sell it;—let alone working, Captain." There was satire too as well as eloquence in the breeches-maker. "No;—you must run your chance, somehow."
"I don't see my way," said Ralph.
"You have got something, Captain;—something of your own?"
"Well;—just enough to pay my debts, if all were sold, and buy myself a rope to hang myself."
"I'll pay your debts, Captain."
"I couldn't hear of it, Mr. Neefit."
"As for not hearing of it,—that's bother. You do hear of it now. And how much more do you want to keep you? You shall have what you want. You meant honest along of Polly yesterday, and you mean honest now." Ralph winced, but he did not deny what Neefit said, nor aught that was implied in the saying. "We'll bring you and Polly together, and I tell you she'll come round." Ralph shook his head. "Anyways you shall have the money;—there now. We'll have a bit of a paper, and if this marriage don't come off there'll be the money to come back, and five per cent. when the old gent dies."
"But I might die first."
"We'll insure your life, Captain. Only we must be upon the square."
"Oh, yes," said Ralph.