‘Oh! Humfrey, how could you bring me to see such havoc? I never suspected you would allow it.’
‘It was without asking leave; an attention to his bride; and now they want an abatement for improvements! Whew!’
‘You should fine him for the damage he has done!’
‘I can’t be hard on him, he is more or less of an ass, and a good sort of fellow, very good to his labourers; he drove Jem Hurd to the infirmary himself when he broke his arm. No, he is not a man to be hard upon.’
‘You can’t be hard on any one. Now that window really irritates my mind.’
‘Now Sarah walked down to call on the bride, and came home full of admiration at the place being so lightsome and cheerful. Which of you two ladies am I to believe?’
‘You ought to make it a duty to improve the general taste! Why don’t you build a model farm-house, and let me make the design?’
‘Ay, when I want one that nobody can live in. Come, it will be breakfast time.’
‘Are not you going to have an interview?’
‘No, I only wanted to take a survey of the alterations; two windows, smart door, iron fence, pulled down old barn, talks of another. Hm!’