"I quite agree, I quite agree," answered Simon; "and you might even go so far as to say there's a lot might be married who ain't."
"There's a lot don't want to be, I believe."
"Women, I grant you. I do think here and there you'll find a woman who won't change the single state, along of experience with married sisters, or babies, or cross-grained men, or what not; but us was telling to 'The Corner House' a bit back along, and it seemed the general idea that there comes a time in every manly mind when the chap cries out for a wife. Should you think that might be so?"
"How should I know?"
"Beg pardon, I'm sure. Perhaps 'twas a silly question to put to a young woman. No offence, I hope?"
"Yes, it was a silly question."
"Sorry, I'm sure, and I hope you'll overlook it. But, when I ax myself if ever it was so with me--but perhaps it don't interest you?"
She considered before answering, then replied:
"I don't much care what men think, but if you want to tell me, tell me."
"Not at all--far from it, I'm sure. For that matter I couldn't tell you very easy. I haven't been throwed much with the female kind."