"You can't have anything to say against it, miss; can you? There's your grandfather as is willing, and the money as one may say counted out,—and John Crumb is willing, with his house so ready that there isn't a ha'porth to do. All we want is for you to name the day."
"Say to-morrow, Ruby, and I'll not be agon it," said John Crumb, slapping his thigh.
"I won't say to-morrow, Mr. Crumb, nor yet the day after to-morrow, nor yet no day at all. I'm not going to have you. I've told you as much before."
"That was only in fun, loike."
"Then now I tell you in earnest. There's some folk wants such a deal of telling."
"You don't mean,—never?"
"I do mean never, Mr. Crumb."
"Didn't you say as you would, Ruby? Didn't you say so as plain as the nose on my face?" John as he asked these questions could hardly refrain from tears.
"Young women is allowed to change their minds," said Ruby.
"Brute!" exclaimed old Ruggles. "Pig! Jade! I'll tell'ee what, John. She'll go out o' this into the streets;—that's what she wull. I won't keep her here, no longer;—nasty, ungrateful, lying slut."